Anthony Albanese accused of ISIS bride ‘cover up’ after officials fail to answer basic questions

Senior public servants from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s department has been accused of a “cover up” after failing to answer basic questions about the Government’s knowledge of a cohort of “ISIS brides”.

Officials refused to confirm details about a group of wives and children of Islamic State fighters who have travelled to Australia from Syria during a fiery Senate Estimates session on Tuesday.

It came after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Question Time early last month several media reports on a top-secret operation to return them before Christmas were inaccurate.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong had represented the PM in the session where she dodged repeated questioning about the Government’s knowledge and involvement with the group’s repatriation from the notorious Al-Hawl detention camp.

Senator Wong said Labor stood by Mr Albanese’s response in September and accused Coalition of seizing on the matter for political gains.

“It would appear that most questions in relation to this important matter are today being taken on notice,” Liberal senator Michaelia Cash said.

“I would have thought the Prime Minister would actually be all over this issue. And would want to be upfront with the Australian people in relation to the measures the government is taking to keep Australians safe.”

Questions included how many had arrived in Australia, what briefings the government received about the cohort, which jurisdictions they were in, and what measures — including deradicalisation — were being undertaken to keep Australians safe.

Senator Wong instead said the line of questioning should be directed at officials from the Departments of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs and Trade during their hearings later in the week.

“It’s not a matter for me personally. It’s not a matter for the Prime Minister personally. It’s a matter for the Department of Home Affairs. You are asking wrong officials the questions that you want answered,” she said.

In her deflection efforts, Ms Wong accused Senator James Paterson of “getting all irritated” and making “invitations and assertions” to officials appearing before the committee.

“You can’t tell us when they came home. You can’t tell us where they are. You can’t tell us how they’re being monitored. You can’t tell us who’s watching them. You can’t tell us if they’ll be charged. You can’t tell us if they’re committing offences,” Senator Paterson said.

“If the Prime Minister’s department can’t answer the most basic factual questions about important matters of public safety and national security. How can Australians have confidence in this government that you will keep it safe?”

Opposition leader Sussan Ley labelled it a “cover up” and said Australians “deserve to know if people who associated with violent radicals are in our communities”.

“Anthony Albanese has questions to answer over this ISIS brides cover up,” Ms Ley said.

“The Government has refused to answer the most basic questions: how many, where they are, and who brought them here.

“Labor promised transparency, but when it comes to ISIS sympathisers, it is secrecy at the expense of security.

“If Anthony Albanese cannot even tell Australians whether terrorists’ brides are living next door, he is not protecting our borders, he is gambling with them.”