News live: Labor accuses Coalition of ‘stunt’ politics over plan to criminalise people helping Australians leave Syria

The Guardian World

by Nick Visser

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Labor has accused the Coalition of engaging in "stunt" politics over its plan to criminalize individuals who assist Australians leaving Syria. The proposal aims to target those supporting terrorist groups like Islamic State, preventing them from re-entering Australia. However, critics, including Save the Children, argue that such measures could inadvertently criminalize legitimate advocacy efforts for children affected by conflict. In a recent interview, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the Coalition's internal dynamics, highlighting how former opposition leader Sussan Ley was allegedly undermined during her tenure by conservative colleagues, including Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie. Ley's brief 276-day leadership saw significant challenges, with Albanese emphasizing the difficulties she faced in securing even a budget reply. The government's proposed changes to migration laws are driven by concerns over national security, particularly regarding individuals who travel to conflict zones to support extremist groups. The plan seeks to prevent such individuals from returning to Australia, reflecting broader global efforts to counter terrorism and protect borders. However, the move has sparked controversy. Critics argue that the law could inadvertently penalize humanitarian organizations or advocates working to aid children in war-torn regions. Save the Children has strongly condemned the proposal, calling it an "extraordinary" overreach that risks conflating lawful advocacy with criminal activity. This debate underscores the delicate balance governments face between safeguarding national security and upholding human rights principles. The proposed legislation highlights the ongoing tensions within Australian politics, both internally among Coalition members and externally with critics who prioritize humanitarian concerns over strict enforcement measures.

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/23/2026