Australian news and politics live: Clare O’Neil admits Government must grant passports to ISIS brides

Panic has broken out inside a defence conference in Canberra after a protestor smashed a window just as the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, was about to address the gathering.

Witnesses inside the event at the Hyatt Hotel have told The Nightly that several attendees fled out of the room when it was initially thought gunshots had been fired.

Former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne had just finished addressing the ADM Congress when the incident occurred.

Soon after, conference delegates returned to their seats and Vice Admiral Hammond began his scheduled remarks.

Read about the event where the incident took place.

Labor says it has not and will not provide “assistance” to ISIS brides attempting to return to Australia.

However, that is being brought into question as a “friend” of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is believed to be assisting the women in getting back from Syria, and Labor admits the Government is “required” to grant passports.

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil has admitted the Albanese Government is “required” to issue Australian passports to citizens, like ISIS brides in terror hotspots, attempting to maintain Labor has not assisted the women and children with their return.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is required to issue passports to Australian citizens,” Ms O’Neil told Sunrise.

“That is a matter of Australian law,” she added when asked how ISIS brides could be returning to the country.

Ms O’Neil said the Albanese Government had to follow the same laws as previous Liberal governments, attempting to shift focus to when former prime minister Scott Morrison brought children who were Australian citizens back from Syria.

“We have a situation here that is long-running for the country. There are Australian citizens overseas who, in some instances, have done things that are, you know, they deserve to face consequences for.

“Every Australian government has to manage groups of people like this.”