Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Australia has an embargo on military equipment and assistance to Syria. This means it is illegal under Australian law to engage in fighting for either side and to fund, to train or to recruit someone to fight or to supply or fund weapons for any of the sides in Syria. This is appreciated by Syrian community leaders in Australia. On 13 September, I met with a delegation of community leaders, together with the ministers for home affairs, immigration and citizenship, and environment. These community leaders undertook to communicate this message to members of their communities in Australia: namely, that it is against the law to engage in fighting for either side—that is, Australians—to fund, to train or to recruit someone to fight or to supply or fund weapons for either side in Syria. Since April 2011, of course, the Australian government has advised against travel to Syria.