News Corp Australia understands federal police are investigating the possibility that NT Labor Party president Matthew Gardiner — an ex-Australian Army soldier — travelled to the region to assist Kurdish forces.

Kurdish forces are fighting against Islamic state extremists in the war-torn country.

A spokesman for the AFP confirmed authorities were investigating information Mr Gardiner has left Australia to travel to Syria.

“The AFP is aware of this matter,” the spokesman said.

“As this matter is part of an ongoing investigation it is not appropriate to comment further.”

A spokesperson for Attorney-General George Brandis said it was illegal to fight in overseas conflicts and an Australia could face up to life in prison upon their return.

“It is illegal to fight in Syria for either side of the conflict,” the spokeswoman said.

“We know there are some Australians who think they’ve made the right choice in becoming involved in overseas conflicts, but that choice only adds to the suffering in Syria and Iraq — and it’s putting those Australians and others in mortal danger,” she said.

“There are safer, legal ways of helping the people affected by these conflicts than travelling overseas to fight.”

NT Labor president Matthew Gardiner. Picture: NT News Source: News Limited

The Attorney General on Saturday warned the number of Australians travelling to the Middle East to fight was climbing, with intelligence agencies predicting 90 Australians were involved in the conflict — almost all of them fighting with ISIS.

Mr Gardiner is a high profile figure in the Northern Territory, having served as the United Voice union secretary until his recent resignation, as the NT president of the ALP and treasurer of Unions NT.

Mr Gardiner has been stood down from the Labor party presidency pending the AFP investigation.

Mr Gardiner is reported to have defriended most of his facebook connections in recent weeks.

But one friend who hasn’t been culled is a man with links to a social media page targeted at recruiting Western fighters in the battle against the Islamic State.

The ABC has reported that NT Labor secretary Kent Rowe confirmed Mr Gardiner was still president of the party, but said he was on leave and had not been heard from for a few weeks.

Mr Gardiner’s mobile phone went straight to message bank when the NT News tried to make contact.

Mr Gardiner made a bid to be Labor’s candidate to contest the seat of Casuarina when MLA Kon Vatskalis resigned last year but Lauren Moss got the nod instead, and went on to win the by-election.

United Voice union represents workers in industries including hospitality, health and aged care, mining, manufacturing, children’s services and property services.

A spokeswomen for United Voice said the union was not making any comment, apart from confirming that Mr Gardiner resigned from his position.

Mr Gardiner, an outspoken secretary, has often been in local media battling for workplace rights for firefighters and paramedics.

The NT News last had contact with him in his union role earlier this month.