ISIS brides and their children to be resettled in Victoria

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has objected to the resettlement of “ISIS brides”, saying it could “compromise” the safety and security of Victorians.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has objected to the resettlement of the “so-called ISIS brides” and their children in Victoria, saying it could “compromise” the safety and security of Victorians.

Several Australian wives and children of former Islamic State fighters are expected to be resettled in the state before the end of the year, however the state government is remaining tight-lipped on how many people will be repatriated here and where they will be housed.

“We do not support the so-called “ISIS brides” and their children being resettled in Victoria,” Mr Guy said in a statement.

“While I feel for some of them, and particularly their children, we cannot compromise the safety and security of Victorians.”

Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday rubbished suggestions the repatriation of the women and children had been delayed until after the state election.

“Nonsense. Absolute nonsense,” he said.

He would not be drawn on whether his government was working with the federal government to facilitate the impending repatriation, saying these were “sensitive matters”.

The first cohort of ISIS families arrived in Sydney last week. Picture: Ivor Prickett/The New York Times

“I’m not here as a spokesperson on behalf of the Home Affairs department,” he said.

But State Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes on Tuesday said the repatriation of these families from Syrian detention camps was an “important humanitarian response”.

“This is a complex situation but it involves a number of parties and experts in this field, managed by the federal government, in consultation with Victoria Police and indeed support services,” she said.

“(It) is obviously a matter for the federal government but they work very closely with Victoria Police and the relevant agencies to ensure that support is available for these people when they come home,” she said.

It comes as four women and 13 children were removed from the al-Roj detention camp in northern Syria last week by Australian officials and flown into Sydney on Saturday.

They were released from their ­secure accommodation on Tuesday and returned to their extended families.

“We are deeply thankful to be back home in Australia with our children,” the women said in a joint statement.

State Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes on Tuesday said the repatriation of families from Syrian detention camps was an “important humanitarian response”. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“We appreciate the complexity and significant work it has taken from many people including the Australian government, to bring us home and we could not be more relieved to know our children are now safe.

“We want to express our regret for the trouble and hurt we have caused, especially to our families.”

The women and some of the older children will be closely monitored by the AFP and ASIO, but none are expected to be charged with terrorism offences.

More than 40 Australian women and children remain in the camp and are scheduled to be repatriated in the next few months, after DNA testing confirms the children are born to Australian citizens.

It is not known exactly how many of these women and children are to be repatriated to Melbourne.

These families have been confined to detention camps since the fall of Islamic State in March 2019.

Ms Symes denied the families’ repatriation had been delayed until after the state election.

“I’m not aware of the timing of repatriation,” she said.

“It’s a federal government matter.”

A spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said: “Given the sensitive nature of the matters involved, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”