Kids deserve 'second chance' senator says as ISIS-linked cohort returns

A group of so-called "ISIS brides" and their children will land in Australia today after more than a decade overseas and years in Syrian refugee camps.

The first Qatar Airways flight carrying part of the cohort of four women and nine children is expected to land in Sydney at about 5pm AEST.

The majority of the returning group is expected to disembark in Melbourne.

LIVE UPDATES: Agree, or the bombing starts: Trump's ultimatum

Speaking in Canberra yesterday after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the cohort had made plans to Australia from Syria, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed members would be arrested and charged when they arrive in Australia.

Barrett said this would be based on evidence collected by investigators for more than a decade.

"Some individuals will be arrested and charged. Some will face continued investigations when they arrive in Australia," she said today.

"That evidence and information was to determine whether Australians who travelled to Syria may have committed Commonwealth offences, including terrorism offences, such as entering or remaining in declared areas, and crimes against humanity offences such as engaging in slave trading."

Barrett confirmed the children would be provided with support.

"Children who return in the cohort will be asked to undergo community integration programs, therapeutic support, and countering violent extremist programs."

BUDGET: 'Full responsibility': Treasurer defends his record on fighting inflation

'Full force of the law'

On Today this morning, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Independent Senator David Pocock went head to head over the issue.

McKenzie said there were "serious concerns" around the group of women, and claimed the children were "already radicalised".

"I want to know why the government hasn't cancelled their travel documents under national security grounds," she said.

She said more details needed to be provided about how the cohort would be monitored and where they would live.

Pocock pointed out the women were Australian citizens, but that nonetheless the public expected "the full force of the law" to be enacted.

"I think the thing we really have to distinguish between, is grown adults, and children who have had no say in going overseas," he said.

"Australian children deserve a second chance."

He said it was preferable that the group be in Australia where they could face legal repercussions and de-radicalisation programs, but McKenzie claimed the programs had a low success rate.

"Let's not kid ourselves, these kids have been radicalised already," she said.

ASIO 'not concerned immediately' by return

The family members were previously blocked from returning to Australia, due to their partner or father's involvement with the terrorist organisation.

Burke issued a temporary ban to one person returning to Australia who was part of the group, while the rest of the group was forced to return to a detention camp in Syria due to unspecified procedural problems.

The government offered no support then, and in a statement, Burke said their stance hadn't changed, warning the cohort they could face legal consequences upon their return.

"The government has not and will not provide any assistance to this group, which consists of four women and nine children," he said.

"These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation.

FINANCE: Aussies could be $300 richer in one-off tax relief measure

"As we have said many times - any members of this cohort who have committed crimes can expect to face the full force of the law."

Speaking to media, he doubled down on his criticism of the group.

"They made an appalling, disgraceful decision. If any of these individuals find their way back to Australia, if they have committed crimes, they can expect to face the full force of the law," he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a similar tone when he was asked about it in a press conference of his own.

"These people have made what is a horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and place their children in [an] extraordinary situation," he said.

He insisted the government had provided no assistance to the group, and were not involved in any actions made by the Syrian government in the group's attempts to leave the Middle Eastern nation.

However, overnight, the Syrian government claimed the Australian government was a "deciding factor" in the return of the women and children, the ABC reported.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said there wasn't cause for immediate alarm concerning security risks from their return, but he was adamant they would be monitored once they arrived.

"It's up to them what they do when they get here, and if they start to exhibit signs of concern, we, and the police, through the joint counterterrorism teams, will take action," Burgess said.

"But I'm not concerned immediately by their return, but they will get our attention, as you expect."

Opposition demands Labor step in to block return

Jonno Duniam responded to the revelation by urging the government to do everything they could to block the return of the cohort to Australia, insisting it is the government's responsibility to make such a move for the good of Australia.

"This government has one last chance before these people board planes back to Australia to revoke their travel documents, to apply temporary exclusion orders," he told reporters in Hobart.

"If there is a chance to stop them, we should do everything we can to stop it."

"They [this group] have been exposed to evil, and there is risk associated with what form of views these people hold."

Duniam claimed the government was not telling the full truth when they said they had offered no assistance to the cohort.

"They said they'd provide zero assistance, but there was DNA and biometric certification that was undertaken on this group of people previously," Duniam said.

"I do not buy or believe the claim that there will be no support provided when support already has been provided. They are not stopping them from coming back, they are allowing them to come back".

However, Minister Burke was adamant that the government could only do so much legally to block their return.

"There are very serious limits on what can be done with respect to preventing a citizen of a country returning to their country," he said.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play

• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here

• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here