THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING

TRANSCRIPT
DOORSTOP, CANBERRA

Wednesday 3 September 2025

Topics: Repatriation of ISIS brides, Bob Carr and Daniel Andrews visit to China, Quad.

E&OE……………………………………

ANDREW HASTIE: [inaudible] went to fight with ISIS or support ISIS betrayed their country. I think most Australians said when that happened, goodbye and good riddance. So if they're going to come back to our country, we need to have very strict conditions of entry, and we also need to find out whether or not they pose a risk to our community. The government has not talked about this openly, we've got a report on the front page of The Oz. The government needs to come clean and tell the Australian people exactly what's happening here, because I don't think you should just be welcomed back to this country after portraying it and moreover, if you pose a risk to community safety.

JOURNALIST: Would you be concerned if taxpayer funds were used to bring them back?

ANDREW HASTIE: I just don't think Australians want people who've betrayed their country and potentially pose a security risk coming back. They threw their lot in with Islamic State. There are consequences to that, and it's as simple as that.

JOURNALIST: We hear that this could be the third cohort of women that are sent back to Australia that potentially could be settled in New South Wales and Victoria.

ANDREW HASTIE: Well, let's find out. But certainly, the same principles apply. They betrayed our country, and now they want back. Well, why? And do you pose a security risk? Do you still adhere to Islamic state ideology?

JOURNALIST: A large-scale military parade in China today. Are you glad to see the Ambassador for Australia won't be in attendance?

ANDREW HASTIE: Yeah, I think that's a wise decision from our government. I think he'd be keeping very bad companies with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. And moreover, this is a celebration of military might, it's hardly a celebration of peace going forward. It's very strange that Bob Carr and Dan Andrews are both going.

JOURNALIST: So they've been used as props do you think?

ANDREW HASTIE: I think they're nice little pawns to sort of legitimise this parade and it reflects poorly on their judgment for going.

JOURNALIST: What do you make for the future of the quad with Modi being in China this week, a fractured relationship with Donald Trump? Is that something that Albanese should be getting back on track? Is India key for our future?

ANDREW HASTIE: India is a key partner, and I think the Quad will continue. As we know with President Trump, things can change in a day, things can change over a month. I remain optimistic about the Quad, our relationship with India, and moreover, the United States relationship with India as well.

[ENDS]