Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
10 OCTOBER 2025
MINISTER PENNY WONG’S ISIS BRIDES COVER-UP CONTINUES
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, who continually refused to reveal if the ISIS brides were returning to Australia or confirm they had arrived, did so despite her office being briefed in June on the cohort’s likely return to Australia.
In a Senate Estimates hearing today under questioning from Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Michaelia Cash, DFAT officials revealed they advised Minister Wong’s office on June 6 that the cohort had left Syria.
But Minister Wong was unable to say when she was first made aware that the cohort had left Syria. She took the question on notice.
Minister Wong was also unable to say when she was made aware that the ISIS brides had returned to Australia. Minister Wong indicated it might have been when the matter was reported in the media, but she took the question on notice.
DFAT officials also refused to reveal how many more ISIS brides had applied for Australian passports.
“Minister Wong continues to avoid revealing information on the ISIS brides,’’ Senator Cash said.
“The Albanese Government refuses to reveal how many more ISIS brides are likely to be heading back to Australia or when they are likely to arrive – it’s an absolute disgrace they will not be upfront with the Australian public,’’ she said.
“The reality is that Minister Wong knew this cohort was on their way home in June and then knew they had arrived but had never until today acknowledged that they are back in Australia,’’ she said.
“Why has this Government been hiding the facts about the ISIS brides from the Australian people and why do they continue to be less than forthright about these matters,’’ Senator Cash said.
ENDS
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