Australia in May 2026: the most important developments in security
In May 2026 the main security story in Australia was the return of Australians linked to the Islamic State group from Syria. On 6 May authorities said they planned to arrest women with alleged ties to the group who came back, and that thirteen Australian citizens were expected to fly home. On 7 May three women were arrested after returning and appeared in court on charges including slavery and terrorism, based on allegations of holding women in forced servitude in territory the group controlled. One woman was refused bail. After Australian women left a Syrian camp around 22 May, nineteen women and children arrived in Melbourne and Sydney on 26 May. An Australian woman who had returned from Syria was charged on 28 May with joining the group, and a woman who had been barred from Australia tried to board a flight on 27 May.
The second theme was the inquiry into the Bondi massacre. At the first public hearing in early May, Australian Jews recounted their experiences. On 25 May the inquiry heard that police did no threat assessment before the attack and that the domestic spy agency was stretched in the lead-up. Police were working to form a heavily armed response team after the Hanukkah attack, and the suspect was set to face additional charges.
Defence news centred on the AUKUS pact. On 30 May the AUKUS nations announced they would develop underwater drones through the pact. On 31 May the United States was reported to be sending only used nuclear submarines to Australia under an amended deal, with Australia scrapping plans for new Virginia-class boats, and Defence Minister Richard Marles pointed to savings. Australia completed its P-8A aircraft acquisition and sought more maritime surveillance capacity.
Crime news included arson and shooting attacks in Melbourne, unrest in Alice Springs after an arrest in the killing of an Indigenous girl, and a guilty plea by author Craig Silvey over child exploitation material.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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