Steve Georganas (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in writing, on 26 October 2017:

(1) Since 2 March 2015, how many people have been (a) suspected of travelling, or (b) attempting to travel, to conflict zone 'declared areas' from airports around Australia. (2) How many of these travellers were suspected supporters or sympathisers of terrorist organisations. (3) How many of these travellers were (a) able to continue their travel, and (b) prevented from boarding. (4) How many of these travellers have returned from these areas as suspected or confirmed 'foreign fighters', by state and territory

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is:

For operational reasons, the specific information requested is not able to be provided.

However, since 2 March 2015 Counter Terrorism Units (CTU) have conducted 596,777 real time assessments, and assisted with 680 passenger offloads – for a range of reasons, that includes suspected travel to conflict zones.

Since 2012, around 220 Australians have travelled to Syria and/or Iraq to fight with, or support groups involved in the conflict. Around 110 Australians are currently fighting or engaged with terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. Around 40 people have returned to Australia after traveling to Syria/Iraq and joining groups involved in the conflict, many of whom did so prior to the declared 'caliphate'.

Passport cancellations are the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.