Peter Dutton has ruled out extracting Australian women and children from refugee camps during a brief ceasefire in Syria.
The home affairs minister said it was still far too dangerous to send Australian troops or diplomats into the war-torn nation.
"The advice is consistent to us, and that is that there's not an opportunity, given the danger there at the moment," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.
"We've been able to bring back some orphans, as you know, but we're not in a position where we're able to go into those camps."
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says the parents of the 46 Australian children in al-Hawl hold responsibility for the circumstances they now face. Source: AAP
But Save the Children acting CEO Mat Tinkler said the temporary ceasefire was an opportunity to bring home trapped Australian citizen.
"This short window renews the opportunity for the Australian Government to bring these women and children to safety," Mr Tinkler said.
“These camps in northeast Syria are one of the worst places in the world to be a child, with the recent escalation in violence only worsening conditions and heightening danger."
Mr Dutton blames the parents of the 46 Australian children in al-Hawl for dragging them into a dangerous environment.
"We've been very clear about the fact that parents, mothers and fathers, have made a decision to take children into a theatre of war, but we've been very clear we're not going to put Australian defence, foreign affairs or home affairs personnel or other agency staff at risk," he said.
"They've been fighting in the name of an evil organisation and there are consequences."
Mr Dutton remains hopeful the Syrian ceasefire will lead to lasting peace.
Veiled women, living in al-Hol camp which houses relatives of Islamic State (IS) group members, walk inside the camp in al-Hasakeh governorate. Source: AFP
"I hope that, like every observer of this, that there can be peace and people can return back to their villages," he said.
"We know that in the original Syrian conflict there were about five million people who were displaced.
"So, this has always been a very difficult part of the world, we know that, and I hope that conflict can come to an end as soon as possible."
