Friends, this morning my high hopes for a swift and compassionate end to three years of cruelty for our Biloela family were dashed.
After days of speculation, it was a relief to read Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s announcement that little Tharni and her mum Priya will be re-united with Nades and Kopika in Perth today.
But instead of allowing this beautiful family to come home to Biloela where they are loved and wanted, Minister Hawke is placing them in “community detention” in Perth and stopping them from coming home to the little QLD town where they belong.
I can’t believe that today - once again - I need to ask you to make another phone call and send another e-mail respectfully urging your government MPs and Senators to put an end to this ordeal and let Priya, Nades and the girls come home to Biloela now.
With so many Australians and government MPs who want to bring them home to Bilo, I was shocked when Minister Hawke said today’s decision “does not create a pathway for a visa”.
He even tried to connect the community detention of the family in Perth to the ongoing legal action which is stopping his government forcing this family from Australia.
The truth is that the courts have never had the power to assess the merits of this family’s refugee claims or grant visas. Under Australian law, only the Department and Ministers can do that. There are various visa types available to the Minister that don’t require the Government to recognise the family as refugees - and his powers are beyond the reach of any court.
The simple fact is that Minister Hawke can bring this family home to Biloela now with the stroke of a pen.
I can’t say what - or who - is stopping him from getting this family home to Bilo, but I do know that today, instead of celebrating, I need you all to make that phone call and e-mail your government MP or Senators and urge them to get this family home to Biloela now.
In the last few days, we’ve all seen how powerful we are together. We won’t stop until this family’s feet are safely on the ground in Biloela - and I know you won’t either.
With hope,
Angela