Here’s what we learnt.

Who are ‘ISIS brides’?

The women who had travelled or were taken to Syria to become partners of ISIS members, and their children, had been living in refugee camps in Syria after the collapse of the self-proclaimed Islamic State group in 2019.

Eligibility for citizenship by descent extends to those born outside Australia who have at least one parent who was Australian at the time, the Home Affairs website says.

How did they return?

The group arrived in Australia on 26 September of their own volition and were not assisted or repatriated by Australian authorities, according to the government.

There are 37 Australian citizens, including 25 children, in the al-Roj camp alone, which currently houses 2,500 people. Source: EPA / Ahmed Mardnli

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke reiterated that the individuals were not repatriated, nor settled, following a question from independent MP Dai Le, who asked whether the federal government would guarantee none of them would be settled in her western Sydney electorate.

“What we have is a situation where we have a number of Australian citizens who made a terrible decision … to go off and join others who were involved in what has been described one of the most horrific organisations that the world has seen.”

What is their location?

“I’m not prepared to confirm or make any statement about any individual’s location,” Nutt said.

Senator Michaelia Cash raised questions over how the identity of the individuals was checked, where they were located and whether they were a risk to the community. Source: AAP

Home Affairs and relevant security agencies, including the AFP and ASIO, have been aware of the individual’s intent to return since June.

“We will leave no stone unturned in understanding, identifying and investigating any activity, and if there are criminal offences, we will proceed as appropriate,” he said.

He said he expected AFP community liaison officers to check in with affected communities shortly.

AFP flags more returns from Syria

Last year, the Federal Court dismissed an appeal by the organisation for the federal government to organise a repatriation flight for 11 Australian children and their six mothers, who have been in detention camps for over five years.

— with additional reporting from Australian Associated Press