QLD-born girl Kopika is turning six today. But our politicians are still choosing to keep her trapped on Christmas Island, 5,000km from her Biloela home.
Kopi and her sister Tharni are the only children in immigration detention in Australia.
Each morning, guards escort Kopi from the detention centre to school. When school finishes, the guards are waiting to take her back to detention.
Kopika is a brave, bright little girl. She was so proud to receive this merit certificate for “brilliant improvement in sounding out words and applying this to writing tasks” at school.
But Kopi doesn’t know how to answer when her Christmas Island classmates ask why the guards take her back to “jail” every day - and neither do I.
Five weeks ago, new Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews was handed the power to bring Kopi and her family safely home to Biloela, where they are wanted and welcome.
First, Ms Andrews requested a full written briefing to “look at the facts”. Then, she hinted that our Biloela family may be allowed to live outside the detention centre on Christmas Island.
I can only welcome this as a sign that Ms Andrews is taking a practical, common-sense approach.
But it is heartbreaking that Kopika is being left in detention on her birthday for the fourth year in a row.
Recently, Ms Andrews said she is waiting for legal matters to conclude before she makes a decision for our Biloela family.
The truth is that there is no need to wait. Ms Andrews’ power to step in and bring this family home to Biloela is independent of any court.
With the simple stroke of a pen, she can bring Priya, Nades and the girls home to live quietly in Biloela right now.
Kopi’s little sister Tharni turns four on 12th June. So far, Tharni has spent her 1st, 2nd and 3rd birthdays in detention. Let’s hope we see a compassionate, common-sense decision for our Biloela family soon.
With hope,
Angela