Members of the second cohort of ISIS-linked women and children have touched down in Melbourne, with the remainder expected to arrive in Sydney later on Tuesday.
Some of the group, understood to be two women and their seven children, arrived at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport on QR904 about 4.30pm AEST — roughly 40 minutes earlier than expected.
Four mothers and their children were scheduled to arrive in Sydney from Doha about 5.35pm AEST.
The cohort are understood to be the second group to leave Damascus and head for Australia after living in the Al-Roj refugee camp.
Australia’s government has warned the remaining women that they will face “the full force of the law” upon their return if they are believed to have committed any crimes.
The Prime Minister reiterated his warning during parliament question time on Tuesday afternoon, adding that he “nothing but contempt” for ISIS sympathisers.
“I have nothing but contempt for anyone who has any sympathy for Isis, as I would hope everyone in this chamber would agree — this should not be an issue of partisanship,” he said.
“The government has provided no assistance for these people.
“Any breaches of the law will mean that these people will face the full force of the law to the extent available, upon the advice of the security agencies.”
It comes after three of the four women in the previous cohort were arrested as they arrived over serious allegations.
Kawsar Abbas, 53, and Zeinab Ahmed, 31, were arrested in Melbourne, while 32-year-old Janai Safar was arrested in Sydney.
Ms Abbas was charged with crimes against humanity, including enslavement, possessing a slave, using a slave and slave trading.
Ms Safar was charged with entering or remaining in a prohibited region and belonging to a terror group.
The group which flew out of Damascus on Monday evening had been spotted leaving the notorious northern Syria camp on a bus late last week.
One woman was banned from returning after a temporary exclusion order was imposed on her by the Albanese government in February.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke released a statement on Tuesday reiterating that the Australian Government did not provide any assistance to the group.
He added that any members of the ISIS-linked group who had committed crimes could expect to face the full force of the law.
“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation,” he said.
“Our world-class law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been preparing for their return since 2014 and have long-standing plans in place to manage and monitor them.
“The priority of the government, as always, is the safety of the Australian community.”
Save the Children Australia chief executive Mat Tinkler welcomed the group’s return in a statement released on Tuesday.
“These innocent children have endured years in dangerous and unstable conditions, and we have held serious concerns for their safety and wellbeing,” Mr Tinkler said.
“The political debate surrounding their future in Australia has been deeply disappointing. As Australian citizens, it was always a matter of ‘when’ these women and children came home, not ‘if’.
“While much attention has focused on the circumstances of the mothers, two thirds of the returning group are children. Australia must prioritise their safety, wellbeing and right to live in this country as Australian citizens.”
He also insisted that the charity didn’t play a role in the group’s return from northeastern Syria but said Save the Children had long supported the families in their advocacy efforts.
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