Australian news and politics live: Clare O’Neil admits Government must grant passports to ISIS brides

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil has admitted the Albanese Government is “required” to issue Australian passports to citizens, like ISIS brides in terror hotspots, attempting to maintain Labor has not assisted the women and children with their return.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is required to issue passports to Australian citizens,” Ms O’Neil told Sunrise.

“That is a matter of Australian law,” she added when asked how ISIS brides could be returning to the country.

Ms O’Neil said the Albanese Government had to follow the same laws as previous Liberal governments, attempting to shift focus to when former prime minister Scott Morrison brought children who were Australian citizens back from Syria.

“We have a situation here that is long-running for the country. There are Australian citizens overseas who, in some instances, have done things that are, you know, they deserve to face consequences for.

“Every Australian government has to manage groups of people like this.”