Speakers: Ted O’Brien MP, Paul Sakkal & Karl Stefanovic
Karl Stefanovic
A group of ISIS brides making another attempt to return to Australia could face criminal charges when they return. Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien and Chief Political Correspondent for Nine papers, Paul Sakkal, join me now. Good morning, guys. Nice to see you this morning. Paul to you first up, if we can you've got that story this morning. When are they back?
Paul Sakkal
Well, they've got plane tickets to travel from Damascus to Australia over the next 72 hours. But as someone in the government told me yesterday, we've heard this story before about families with plans to get out. The path from where the camp is to the airport in Damascus is treacherous in and of itself. They've got to get through Syrian authorities. They've previously been turned back. There could be problems at other airports, and because the Australian government without actually blocking them from returning, because there's no real ability to do so, given they're citizens, because our government is not keen for them to return, and they're not doing anything to facilitate that return, there is a chance they're turned back at some point. So this looks like the best bet in a long time for the families to get home, but it's not a done deal.
Karl Stefanovic
Okay, so Ted, they lob home. What happens?
Ted O'Brien
Well, they should face the law, Karl, if they do get home. I mean, let's not forget, we might call them brides, but we are talking about people here who deliberately chose a terrorist organization ahead of Australia. They chose violence over peace. These are people who joined a caliphate of hate. They do not want Australian's way of life, and so they need to face the law if indeed they get back and by the way, Paul, I don't believe the government's lie that they're not facilitating this. They're getting third parties to do the heavy lifting. They've outsourced it. They've basically given it to someone else to do. Australians really need to have their own way of life protected. And I don't believe that having these adults come back into Australia secures our way of life and threatens it.
Karl Stefanovic
Big claim that they're facilitating it, though?
Ted O'Brien
Well, I believe they are Karl. I mean, if you look at the responsible minister himself, it's one of his best mates who's gone over there to try to get them back. The government issued the passports. We're not clear about how those passports traveled all the way over there. Of course, the government has had a hand in this, but I believe they're just gone to ground. It's their business model. That's the way the Albanese government works. And sorry to be negative on this, but you know, this is a serious issue, and I don't believe the government's been upfront with the Australian people.
Karl Stefanovic
Paul hands dirty? The government.
Paul Sakkal
There was a period in the middle of last year and in times before, where the government was using very tricky language to describe their role. Here they were using an official line to say there was no formal assistance being given. But on the other hand, we do know Tony Burke was meeting with advocates to see if they could find a pathway, perhaps to for this to occur in a quieter manner. But over the past few months, particularly post the Bondi massacre, the government has hardened its line. The Prime Minister says there is no sympathy, not only for the parents, but for other groups of members of this cohort, and there has been a toughening in the government's position. So there is no evidence to say at the moment the government, government is facilitating this. But as the Shadow Minister says, there have been periods of questions about the relationship between certain minister ministers and certain advocates.
Karl Stefanovic
It still seems a bit grubby, doesn't it? It seems like there's something going on there. I mean, I know of all people, you'll get to the bottom of it, Paul?
Paul Sakkal
I can understand that perception. We'll keep trying. I think, I think the government has maintained a pretty steadfast line over recent months though.
Karl Stefanovic
What happens Ted to the kids, if they get back?
Ted O'Brien
Oh, look, we'll have to wait and see. Of course, they're the real victims here with their parents deciding to take them to a terrorist area. You know, I'm a bit old fashioned Karl. I believe that you have a responsibility as a parent. There's no greater responsibility you have, and it's the parents who are at fault here. We don't want to see a separation of adults from children that's never been anything anyone's really been pushing here in Australia. So for those kids, I feel for them, but I tell you what, we don't know, what they've been experiencing themselves. I mean, these, are kids that we might call them kids, but you're talking about teenagers here, young adults. They've probably seen some awful things, so we don’t want to see them radicalized.
Karl Stefanovic
All right, finally, and Donald Trump has survived another assassination attempt Ted. So the dude, I mean, he gets through his third attempt from another whack job, as he described them. Then he comes out in a press conference and said, 'this is why we need a ballroom at the White House' I mean, the guy does have some front...
Ted O'Brien
Yeah, look, he does have front. There's no doubt. But on the serious stakes, thank God there was nobody hurt in the incident. And it's a somber reminder to us in Australia. We might hear a lot about this in the likes of the United States, but we're not immune to political violence in this country and we have to remain vigilant.
Karl Stefanovic
Paul, it reminds me of the Mid-Winter Ball, but just not quite as exciting.
Paul Sakkal
There's no one in the Mid-Winter Ball is important enough for anything like this right. Anyway, it is kind of extraordinary. So the point you just made about the guy has fun, Karl. The US president could have been assassinated merely hours ago, and we're joking about it. There is a kind of unbelievable sense of, you know, luck around this President. In some ways, he has this special magic around him. He avoids blow ups. He skates through issues that most people just wouldn't. Yeah, it's an extraordinary time and a really, really troubling moment, as Ted says in the US, but across the world. Political violence and threats of violence are actually rising significantly in Australia as well. We just haven't seen a breakout moment yet.
Karl Stefanovic
Be great if he could apply his magic to the Strait of Hormuz. But anyway, let's see what happens with that. Good on you guys.
