Kellie Sloane
Leader of the Opposition
NSW Liberal Leader
According to media reports, high-level briefings between the Federal Government and NSW Government agencies have been underway for months regarding the repatriation of Australian women and children from Syria.
If these reports are accurate, the people of NSW deserve full transparency from the Minns Labor Government.
Anyone who has left Australia to align themselves with ISIS has betrayed Australia and should not be welcomed back.
Questions now arise about what the NSW Government knew and when.
If planning has been underway for months, why is the public only learning about it now through media reporting?
The public will rightly ask where these individuals will be residing, what safeguards are in place, and if any costs of settlement and security will be borne by NSW taxpayers.
There must also be a comprehensive plan to ensure that any children involved are protected from radicalisation and are given every opportunity to be properly reintegrated into Australian society. That requires structured intervention, ongoing oversight and coordination between federal and state authorities.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals call on the Premier to answer the following questions to satisfy the NSW public that community safety has been put first:
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When was the NSW Government first formally briefed about plans to repatriate these individuals?
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Did the Premier personally receive briefings, and on what dates?
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Why has the public only learned now if planning has been underway for months?
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What risk assessments have been conducted for individuals returning to NSW?
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Have security agencies raised any concerns about specific individuals settling in NSW?
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What monitoring or control measures will be in place upon arrival and who pays?
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How many individuals are expected to settle in NSW specifically?
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Have local communities been consulted or informed?
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What specific protections and support are in place for the children?
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Has the Premier picked up the phone to the Prime Minister and demanded that every possible action be taken to prevent the re-entry of these individuals?