Natalie Barr, Host: Well, returning to our breaking news, Donald Trump has just posted a major update on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The US President is launching Project Freedom to rescue ships that are trapped in the Strait. Trump says if this humanitarian process is interfered with, the US will respond with force. For more, we're joined by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Good morning to you. Will Australia be helping with this effort to free those ships?
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: There are certainly many ships which are trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. And you and I have spoken before about the need to open the Strait, both for the energy markets and also to get those ships through and those seafarers out safely. We've been engaging with the US, with the UK, with France on efforts to reopen the Strait. We'll continue to engage with them. What we do want, however, is Iran to cut a deal, make sure they get a negotiated outcome that opens the Strait and is to the satisfaction of the United States and the rest of the world.
Barr: Okay, moving on. What can you tell us about the latest group of 13 women and children with alleged links to ISIS? The people trying to return to Australia, have they been refused entry as the Syrian Government has said?
Foreign Minister: We are not repatriating these individuals, we've made that perfectly clear. And that may be what the Syrian government is referring to in terms of orders to exclude people, the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, has made clear he will act and has acted in accordance with the full extent of his powers.
Barr: But can you refuse them?
Foreign Minister: Australian citizens have a set of rights, including return home. There are limited circumstances where you can exclude people that Tony Burke has responsibility for. But I do want to make this clear: first, we are not repatriating. And secondly, that they will face the full force of the law if they return.
Barr: Yes, but the Syrian Government says the Australian Government has refused to receive them. Is that correct?
Foreign Minister: Well, I can't speak for the Syrian Government. I can only speak for the Australian Government. And what I am saying is we are not acting to repatriate them.
Barr: Yes, but have you refused them?
Foreign Minister: We are not acting to repatriate them.
Barr: That's different, though, isn't it?
Foreign Minister: We are acting in accordance with the law. That's what Tony Burke is doing. And the extent of what he can do is prescribed by the Parliament.
Barr: Yes, but have you refused entry to them?
Foreign Minister: Australia has refused to repatriate. I can't speak for the Syrian Government. Any entry into Australia is governed by Australian law.
Barr: Yes, so, but you're not kicking them out before they come in, are you?
Foreign Minister: Well, you can't kick out people unless you – the only thing you can do is put in place an exclusion order, a temporary exclusion order. And Minister Burke has, and will act, only in accordance with the advice from agencies and only to the extent he's able to.
Barr: And only one has done that.
Foreign Minister: Correct.
Barr: So, they're still able to come, if they get through Damascus?
Foreign Minister: It's a matter for them. We are not repatriating.
Barr: Okay. Last week we asked Housing Minister Claire O'Neil if your government knew that the US Government had actually been working with Syria to help the ISIS brides make their return to Australia. Claire said, quote, "I'll let the Foreign Minister speak to those issues". Obviously, you're here, did you know the US Government was helping to get the ISIS brides out of the camp back to Australia?
Foreign Minister: The US Government has made its position on repatriation of all of the people in the camps very clear. Their position internationally is that governments should repatriate citizens who are in the camps. That's not, you know, specific to Australia. That's their position.
Barr: Okay, so the US Government didn't ring you and say, look, can you just, like, can you take them, we're closing down the camp?
Foreign Minister: The US Government has made clear to all countries, including Australia, that it wants the repatriation of citizens. However, the Australian Government is not repatriating these individuals.
Barr: So, you said no to the US when they came to you and said, we want you to repatriate?
Foreign Minister: What I said, what the Government said to the US is what I'm saying to you. The Government's position is that we are not going to support or assist them in their repatriation.
Barr: Okay. Thank you very much. Penny Wong.
Foreign Minister: Good to speak with you.