Home Affairs Secretary Stephanie Foster said the government’s position was “very clear” on not repatriating ISIS brides, but that there were legislative obligations enabling self-managed returns.
“That is a right of any Australian citizen,” she said.
Ms Foster said the government had a “fairly robust system” of managing “Australians of interest” overseas.
“(That) contains a number of provisions which allow us, working in collaboration with colleagues, to manage the security implications of that of anyone who is categorised in that definition,” Ms Foster said.
Asked by Senator Duniam whether the Department had had any conservations with third-parties outside of government on providing assistance to ISIS brides, Ms Foster said “the answer is unquestionably no”.
Instead, the Department had been in discussion with AFP and ASIO officials to ensure “appropriate safeguards” on any returnees.