What now for IS fighters' families + quitting the Libs for 'Something Better'

Australia faces a moral and legal reckoning over the return of 13 Australian citizens—four women and nine children—linked to ISIS fighters from Syrian detention camps. While the government insists these individuals will face prosecution under tough counter-terrorism laws, legal expert Ben Saul argues that denying return to Australian citizens violates fundamental rights and shifts responsibility onto war-torn nations like Syria. He emphasizes that children are victims of terrorism and that well-designed reintegration and de-radicalisation programs can effectively manage risks. The controversy has sparked fierce debate: some see the return as a humanitarian duty, others fear safety threats, especially among Yazidi communities targeted by ISIS. Meanwhile, former Liberal Party advocate Charlotte Mortlock has launched 'Something Better,' a movement aiming to create a new political party that transcends left-right divides. Motivated by disillusionment with both major parties’ failure to evolve, she seeks to unite voters from Greens, One Nation, and beyond through policy innovation—like fast rail and a gas tax—driven by public input, not elite consensus. With no financial backing and a focus on grassroots democracy, her vision is bold, idealistic, and explicitly not about personal political ambition. The episode exposes a deep national tension: how to balance justice, security, and compassion when dealing with citizens who made horrific choices abroad.