Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:23): My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Minister, following the Premier’s refusal to answer questions on the return of ISIS brides and their children into Australia, it has been reported that most of the women and their children were planning to resettle in Victoria. A government spokesperson confirmed that the Premier has known of these plans since September. Minister, when did you first become aware of the resettlement plans?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence) (12:24): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. I do find it interesting that it is coming from Ms Crozier and not the shadow, who is in the same chamber. I note that he is very exercised about these issues. I want to say a few things about this, because I think it is important that we get a few facts on the public record about this matter. In any situation like this that involves this kind of complexity, whether it is overseas or in our country, the last thing we want to do is take up the temperature and continue to see division within our community. I want to say that our approach to these issues has always been to try to support those communities that are most impacted by these issues, not seek headlines or seek to make political points about these matters.

I can absolutely understand that there are parts of our community who would be deeply distressed by some of the issues and the horrors of ISIS. Indeed many of our communities here in Victoria have had to flee the persecution associated with some of these groups. But whether you are a Middle Eastern Christian or a Muslim, there is no hierarchy of trauma when it comes to these deeply distressing and complex issues. Every crisis should not be used as an opportunity to divide the community. I think that what is important here is to acknowledge that these matters, as those opposite know very well, fit squarely within the remit of the Commonwealth government. Victoria does not issue passports. Victoria does not determine citizenship. Our responsibilities are very clear. We work with Victoria Police. We coordinate with our federal authorities in that regard. We keep Victorians safe.

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, I have been listening to the minister’s answer very closely, and I think Victorians right across the state are concerned about this issue. My question was very specific and very narrow. I would ask you to ask the minister to come back to the specifics of what I asked: when did she know?

Ingrid STITT: I thank the member for her interjection. I was in the process of talking about –

A member: It was a point of order.

Ingrid STITT: I was in the process of talking about how important it is to foster social cohesion in our state. We have seen far too much division in the community over the last two or three years when it comes to issues related to conflicts beyond our shores. The point I am making to the member and to those opposite –

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, there is 14 seconds to go. The minister has had close to 3 minutes to answer this question, and I would ask you to ask the minister to answer the question that has been asked.

Ingrid STITT: Thank you, but I will not engage in this sort of rhetoric and I will not divide our communities and pit people against each other. It is very simple, Ms Crozier: the federal government are responsible for our borders. The federal government have been very clear about this issue.

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:27): I am quite astonished by the minister’s refusal to answer a very simple question.

Members interjecting.

Georgie CROZIER: No, the community has a right to know.

Nick McGowan interjected.

Georgie CROZIER: Mr McGowan, please be quiet.

The Socio-Cultural Syriac Association president Mukhles Habash has said his members are all victims of the terrorist organisation.

Ingrid Stitt: On a point of order, President, I could not hear Ms Crozier. Could she begin the supplementary again, please?

The PRESIDENT: Yes. Reset the clock, please.

Georgie CROZIER: Thank you, President. Minister, Socio-Cultural Syriac Association president Mukhles Habash has said his members are all victims of the terrorist organisation ISIS, and:

The presence or return of individuals linked to such extremist ideology could threaten the sense of safety for our children in the future …

Given that last year when two ISIS brides were resettled in Melbourne the government failed to consult with affected communities like the Assyrian, Chaldean, Yazidi, Druze and Shia Muslims who escaped ISIS persecution and found a new home here in Victoria, can you confirm you have consulted with these communities on this particular issue?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence) (12:29): I completely reject the way that you have framed that question, because at its heart it questions whether I as the Minister for Multicultural Affairs or indeed our government has listened to the community. I can tell you that we are out every single day listening to the concerns of our community, including our diverse communities, and the one thing that I do know is they do not want to have these issues continue to be used as a political weapon for those opposite. My role as Minister for Multicultural Affairs in this state is to keep our communities safe and to keep our communities from conflict – brought on by those opposite, in most cases. Of course, as I have already indicated in my substantive answer, there is deep distress about these issues in parts of our community. I have also indicated that those that have been subject to ISIS and their oppressive regimes – (Time expired)