Source : Perth Now news
Debate has intensified on how to deal with a group of 34 Australian women and children with links to Islamic State who plan to return to home.
WHAT IS THE SITUATION?
* The 34 people in the group have been held in a Syrian refugee camp since the fall of Islamic State
* The group tried to leave the camp last week but were turned back due to administrative issues
* Members of the group have requested and received Australian passports, a right given to Australian citizens
* Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says while some in the group are dual citizens, some have citizenship to countries that may not be able to take them back
* Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the group would not be allowed to be repatriated
WHAT LAWS ARE IN PLACE?
* A temporary exclusion order was placed on one of the women, barring her from returning to Australia for two years despite being a citizen
* The orders can be issued to a person if they are deemed to be a national security threat
* While the exclusion order has a time limit, there is no cap on the number that can be issued to one person
WHAT HAS THE COALITION PROPOSED?
* The opposition has proposed making it an offence to assist people who have travelled to a declared terror hot spot or who have committed a terrorism offence
* Laws would be introduced to federal parliament in March, which would attract a 10-year prison sentence
* Concerns have been raised aid groups working in the region could be affected.
* The prime minister says the proposal from the opposition is not serious
