Australian security forces face complex challenges regarding the anticipated return of women and children with connections to Islamic State fighters from Syria. New South Wales Police have confirmed intentions to engage with thirteen individuals—comprising women and minors from NSW—upon their arrival in Australia, though authorities acknowledge limited legal powers to restrict their movements.
Deputy Commissioner David Hudson disclosed during a budget estimates hearing that counter-terrorism officers would seek to interview the group before they clear immigration channels. However, he explicitly stated that should these individuals decline to cooperate, law enforcement possesses no authority to prevent their entry or regulate their subsequent whereabouts. “They can go wherever they like,” Hudson remarked, highlighting the jurisdictional constraints facing police.
The situation has triggered coordinated interagency discussions involving multiple government departments, including Communities and Justice, Education, Housing, and Health. These consultations aim to address the multifaceted implications of the group’s potential reintegration into Australian society. Police Minister Yasmin Catley emphasized that settlement decisions fall outside police jurisdiction, characterizing their role as merely one component of a broader governmental response.
Political tensions have escalated around this issue, with Opposition representatives criticizing the perceived lack of ministerial oversight. Shadow Police Spokesman Anthony Roberts expressed grave concerns regarding community safety, particularly given the individuals’ associations with conflict zones and extremist affiliations. The federal Coalition has advocated for criminalizing assistance to such returnees, signaling intent to leverage the matter as a significant point of political contention.
Despite possessing Australian citizenship or entitlement thereto, the group has received no official government assistance for their return, according to federal authorities. Their planned repatriation follows years of detention in Syria’s al-Hol refugee camp, facilitated through private channels including prominent Sydney physician Dr. Jamal Rifi.