‘Significant’ security concern as 40 jihadis return to Australia

About 40 Australians who flew to Syria and Iraq conflict zones to fight or support extremist jihadi groups have returned home, some of whom posed a “significant” security concern, federal government authorities believe.

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Forty Australian jihadis who joined Islamic State and other extremist military groups fighting in Syria and Iraq are now back home, it can be revealed.

Some of the fighters, who are among 230 Australians who have travelled to the war zone since 2012, pose a “sig­nificant” security concern, ­federal government authorities believe.

A further 80 Australians are believed to be still active in conflict zones.

The returnees include Sydney man Belal Betka, who left Australia in 2015 before authorities learned he had travelled to the Middle East to engage in foreign incursion activity.

Also back home is fellow Sydney resident Isaak el Matari, who spent time in a Lebanese jail after being arrested for attempting to join the fight with Islamic State.

Belal Betka returned to Australia after travelling to the Middle East to engage in foreign incursion activity. Picture: 7News

Isaak el Matari spent time in a Lebanese jail after being arrested for attempting to join the fight with Islamic State.

The number of returned fighters emerged as Home ­Affairs Minister Peter Dutton prepares to push through a controversial national security bill allowing individuals who pose an ongoing security risk to be banned from coming home for up to two years.

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Modelled on British legislation, the tough new Counter Terrorism (Temporary Exclu­sion Orders) Bill 2019 effectively allows the government to buy time to investigate individuals before specifying the conditions of their return.

The conditions could include notifying authorities of their whereabouts, employment and associations.

The Bill has aroused controversy given the two-year period can be extended after it expires, while also being able to be applied to individuals not yet proved to have been ­involved in any wrongdoing.

Police raid Belal Betka house in 2017. Picture: Australian Federal Police

However, the government argues the new laws are necessary to protect the public by ensuring returning jihadis are closely monitored.

Mr Dutton is hoping the Bill will pass both houses of parliament this week, a move that is set to test Labor leader ­Anthony Albanese’s resolve on counter-terrorism.

Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Ken­eally and opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Drey­fuss have both said the Bill will be examined on its merits.

“The Labor Party is torn on this issue,” Mr Dutton said.

“Somebody in Labor has to stand up and  support this vital law, which will save Australian lives.”

However, it is not only Labor that has not yet committed to the Bill, with crossbench MPs also divided.