Australia uses temporary exclusion order to prevent a citizen held in a Syrian camp from returning, citing national security advice.

SYDNEY: Australia has issued a temporary exclusion order preventing one of its citizens held in a Syrian camp from returning to the country. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating it was made on advice from security agencies.

The individual is part of a group of 34 Australians whose release from a northern Syrian camp was conditionally approved. They were briefly freed on Monday before being turned back by Damascus authorities for inadequate paperwork.

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The government is investigating whether any individuals in the cohort pose a threat to national security. Burke noted security agencies have not yet advised that other members meet the legal threshold for a similar ban.

Introduced in 2019, the legislation allows for bans of up to two years for Australian citizens over 14 whom the government deems a security risk. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said some members had aligned with a “brutal, reactionary ideology and that seeks to undermine and destroy our way of life”.

He added it was unfortunate children were caught up in the situation due to their parents’ decisions. The possible return of the families has caused political controversy in Australia.

Support for the right-wing, anti-immigration One Nation party has surged recently. A poll this week found its share of the popular vote at a record high of 26%.

 The Sun Malaysia