Tony Burke says few options to block return of 34 from Syrian camp

Tony Burke said authorities “know the state of mind” of each of the 34 Australian women and children stuck in the Roj detention camp in north-eastern Syria, but that his options to stop them returning to Australia are limited. Eleven women and 23 children remain in the camp near the Turkish and Iraqi borders after a failed attempt to reach Damascus; one woman has been issued a temporary exclusion order.

Burke said the cohort was “not consistent” in their ideas and beliefs and expressed “complete confidence” in intelligence agencies conducting risk assessments. He said the government was “actively making sure we do nothing to help them” and that, under the Passport Act, there is no legislative power to stop an Australian citizen entering Australia beyond measures such as temporary exclusion orders.

Opposition figures urged tougher action: the shadow defence minister said the women should face charges if they return and the shadow attorney general accused Burke of lacking “political courage”.

Syria, Roj camp

tony burke, roj camp, syrian camp, australian citizens, women, children, passport act, temporary exclusion, intelligence agencies, risk assessments