Barnaby Joyce Demands ISIS Brides Be Treated as Accomplices in Horrific Crimes
Barnaby Joyce, the high-profile One Nation recruit and MP for New England, has declared that ISIS brides begging to return to Australia must be viewed as accomplices to their husbands, who he says committed "some of the most horrendous acts in modern history." He insists it is "irrelevant" that the 11 Australian adults seeking repatriation from a Syrian refugee camp are women and mothers, emphasizing their potential involvement in criminal activities.
Investigations and Allegations Surface Against ISIS Brides
One of the women, Kirsty Rosse-Emile, has faced scrutiny after her father claimed she was "lying" about being duped into supporting IS and should not be allowed back. The Daily Mail previously revealed that Rosse-Emile, who appeared on national television pleading for government assistance, told a former housemate she wanted to "make bombs" instead of attending school. Federal police have reportedly launched an investigation into these comments, though the Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on potential exclusion measures, citing privacy considerations.
Joyce told the Daily Mail that sympathies should lie with Yazidi refugees in his electorate who suffered rape, trafficking, and torture at the hands of IS, rather than with the brides. He argued that anyone with knowledge of crimes, aiding criminals, or involvement in criminal organizations qualifies as an accomplice, regardless of gender or parental status.
Government and Opposition Stance on Repatriation
The Albanese government has stated that the ISIS brides, who hold Australian passports, are free to return by their own means but will not provide assistance. One woman is subject to a temporary exclusion order on national security grounds, potentially banning her entry for two years, though her identity remains unclear. Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Jonno Duniam echoed Joyce's sentiments, urging the government to "shut the door" on returnees, citing concerns about public safety and extremism.
Duniam emphasized that Australians do not want ISIS families as neighbors, particularly referencing Rosse-Emile's alleged desire to make bombs and support an Islamist Caliphate. Rosse-Emile married a future IS fighter at age 14 and has claimed she was tricked into entering Syria, but her former housemate Sara disputes this, recalling Rosse-Emile's extremist statements from years ago.
Broader Context and Other Cases
Other Australian women in the Syrian camp include Nesrine Zahab, Aminah Zahab, Sumaya Zahab, Kawsar Abbas, Zeinab Ahmed, Zahra Ahmed, Janai Safar, Hodan Abby, Kawsar Kanj, and Hyam Raad. Their pleas for return highlight ongoing debates about national security, human rights, and accountability for involvement with terrorist groups. As investigations continue, the political discourse remains focused on balancing compassion with stringent security measures to protect Australian interests.
