12/08/2026
On Tuesday August 11, Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan joined passionate Ezidi community leaders in Parliament House to speak directly to the Shadow Ministerial team and relay the concerns of the wider Ezidi refugee community in Australia.
The delegation met with Shadow Minister for Home Affair and Immigration Senator Jonathan Duniam, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Senator Dave Sharma and Leader of the Nationals Senator Matt Canavan.
“Over the past seven years in my role as the Federal Member for Cowper, I have had many one on one and group consultation sessions with the Coffs Coast Ezidi community to understand their specific needs and to help in any way that I can in addressing their concerns. I am pleased that during that time I have been able to assist on a number of individual issues, but the most recent request deserved to be escalated to a wider audience here in Canberra,” Conaghan stated.
“For a group within our community that has suffered horrific persecution at the hands of ISIS militants to watch the current repatriation of known ISIS affiliates into the country has been a source of trauma and disbelief. And it is important that the perspective of the Ezidi community be heard in this place by our decision makers.
“Their ask was simple; let us tell our stories. And allow us to participate in the justice process where appropriate once these individuals are taken to trial. In a free country like ours, it is hard to truly understand what occurred in 2014 and is still occurring to the Ezidi community in Iraq purely due to their religious and cultural beliefs. Their voices deserve to be heard, and allowed to truly put the issues into perspective.”
Within minutes of meeting the Coffs Coast Ezidi delegation, Senator Jonathan Dunium retold their stories on the floor of the Senate during a debate on National Security.
“These are people who came to Australia for safety, for sanctuary, for a place to feel included and to be able to live out their lives peacefully, and this government is bringing back the people who drove them—the Ezidi community—from where they were from, who vilified, victimised and pursued these people in the worst of ways just because of their faith. I can’t even begin to imagine the experiences these individuals have gone through. Members of family are still not located, still separated from those who’ve been able to make it to Australia. And while we’re not providing support to that community, who desperately, genuinely need help, who adore what this country has to offer, we are bending over backwards to bring in ISIS brides, ISIS doctors, and all sorts of evil back into this country. I say shame on this government. Put Australians and others who adore this country first,” Senator Duniam stated during his Parliamentary address.
Delegation member Ilyas Khalaf thanked Mr. Conaghan for facilitating the meeting and acknowledged the immediate actions of the Shadow Ministerial team.
“We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Pat for his support and dedication in organising this important meeting, and for providing the opportunity to amplify the voice of the Ezidi community and our challenges before the Australian Parliament.
During our meeting, we discussed the situation of survivors and those abducted, conditions in the refugee camps, ISIS brides, migration issues, mass graves, hate speeches, our cultural identity and other topics. We addressed these issues to the best of our ability, reflecting the aspirations and concerns of our community. And it was gratifying to see our voices relayed immediately by Senator Duniam in Parliament. We look forward to continuing our conversations.”
ENDS
Names of delegation members: Ilyas Khalaf, Hadiya Aldakhi, Milan knjo, Tamar Jardu, Ibrahim Almurad, Bahin Alhasan and Murad Eesee.
