This comes after the Trump administration made the decision to withdraw troops in Syria, prompting Turkey to launch a military offensive on US-allied Kurdish fighters in the area.

The President has since ordered the remaining US forces out of northern Syria.

Ms Keneally, the shadow home affairs minister, says the US has been calling on its Western allies to bring their people back.

At the same time, the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor observed leaving foreign fighters in Syria is similar to when foreign fighters were left in Afghanistan in the 1970s.

“Those people went on to form al-Qaeda,” Senator Keneally told ABC television’s Insiders program on Sunday.

“While there is a risk to bringing these people back, there is also a risk to not bringing them back.”

She told the program that while some women imprisoned there “do retain a determination to commit terrorist acts” other have been taken there against there will and are “genuine victims”.

“I think all Australians would agree with the Prime Minister and Minister Dutton that the 40 or so Australian children or children who have a claim to an Australian citizenship are indeed innocent victims,” she said.

Asked if she thought the Government should bring them home, Senator Keneally said: “If possible.”

“The Government needs to consider the options in front of it.”

She said Australia does have the legislative tools in place to protect Australia’s national security.

“Australians would expect the Government to be making the right decisions, both in terms of our national security and morally,” she said.