Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has held a “robust” meeting with Western Sydney mayors in a bid to allay their concerns over the repatriation of the families of Islamic State (IS) fighters from Syria.
Key points:
- Four women and 13 children were repatriated to Western Sydney last month
- One mayor said the area had become a “dumping ground”
- Ms O’Neil brought security experts to talk to the mayors
The four Australian women and 13 children were taken from Roj detention camp in north-eastern Syria, arriving at Sydney International Airport on October 29.
They are being resettled with their families in south-western Sydney.
Several mayors in Western Sydney have publicly voiced their frustration at the decision, with one concerned the region was a “dumping ground” for the families and felt they should not be repatriated there.
Of concern for the mayors is the high number of refugees resettled…
