Several mayors have stepped up their fight against relatives of fighters for the so-called Islamic State (IS) being resettled in Sydney, saying the families had "turned their backs" on Australia.
In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, three mayors from south-western Sydney said their communities weren't consulted over the decision to relocate the wives and children of IS fighters to their area.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun, Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone and Campbelltown Mayor George Greiss accused the federal government of using south-west Sydney as a "dumping ground".
"Your Government has confirmed a repatriation plan for 26 women and 42 children who are the family of Islamic State fighters, with the majority expected to resettle in South West Sydney, without any consultation with the communities from South West Sydney," the letter said.
"These families have lived alongside Islamic State fighters for over 7 years after turning their backs on Australia, and at no stage have they spoken out against the actions of ISIS.
"Your Government has listened to the repatriated families views but have not taken to [sic] time to consult with the communities affected by this decision."
The first group of Australian women and children held in a detention camp in north-east Syria since the fall of IS in 2019 arrived in Sydney on October 29.
The four women and 13 children left the Roj detention camp in Syria and made a 30 kilometre trip to the Iraq border before boarding a plane home.
Community leaders have since raised concerns about potential security risks they pose particularly to refugees that have fled IS brutality.
Independent MP Dai Le said the repatriations were hurtful to Christian refugees in her south-western Sydney electorate of Fowler.
She also said members of her Assyrian community had been targeted by IS militants.
But Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the repatriation was informed by national security advice, and the risk of leaving them in Syria was greater.
"One of the things that hasn't been properly discussed here is the risk to Australia if we do nothing," she told the ABC on Friday.
"The truth is we have got a relatively large group of Australian children who would otherwise be growing up in a camp where a key focus and influence on their life is violent ideology and I don't think that is good for the country."
About 40 Australian women and children are expected to be repatriated in coming months.
The mayors have asked Mr Albanese to consult with them, prior to their arrival.
"Local government in South West Sydney has always collaborated with all levels of government to ensure the successful resettlement of migrants and refugees," the letter said.
"It is time that the government heard the concerns of the community, and we invite you to have a conversation."
