The Shadow Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Anthony Roberts has accused the Minns Government of losing control of a sensitive security issue after the Police Minister admitted she does not know where a group of ISIS-linked women and children would live if they return to the state.
“It beggars belief that the Police Minister does not know where these individuals will be settled, or which communities will be directly impacted.”
In a statement released after supplementary budget estimates hearings, Roberts said it was “deeply concerning” that the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism could not identify which communities might be affected by the potential repatriation of five adult women and seven children from Syria.
“Community safety must always come first, particularly when dealing with individuals returning from conflict zones with links to ISIS.”
Roberts argued the public deserved transparency about who was making the decisions and what safeguards would be in place.
“The people of New South Wales deserve transparency and confidence that appropriate security and counter-terrorism measures are in place. Instead, we have a Minister who admits she is not across critical operational details.”
During the hearing, as per NT News, Police Minister Yasmin Catley said it was “not police’s decision to make” where the group would settle, describing the response as a broader whole-of-government effort. She confirmed she had been briefed in late 2025 but indicated operational decisions rested elsewhere.
It is further reported that NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson told the inquiry that counter-terrorism officers planned to speak with the group before they pass through immigration if they arrive in Australia. However, he acknowledged police would have no authority to stop them entering the country or determine where they live if they declined to engage.
“They can go wherever they like.”
Hudson said this adding that once through immigration, they would not be subject to movement restrictions unless other legal orders applied.
Meetings between NSW Police and agencies including the Department of Communities and Justice, Education, Housing and Health are under way to consider possible arrangements should the group return. Officials described the briefings as ad hoc due to the fluid nature of the situation.
Federally, the Albanese government has insisted it is not facilitating the group’s return, though it has acknowledged legal obligations to Australian citizens and those entitled to citizenship.
The issue has become a political flashpoint for the Coalition under Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, who has proposed criminalising assistance to individuals linked to extremist organisations.
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