Friends, Biloela girl Kopika turns 7 on Thursday. But with Scott Morrison’s Ministers STILL stopping her family coming home to QLD, it looks like she’ll spend her birthday 3,500km from her Biloela home.
Last month, my husband Alan and I made the long journey from Biloela to WA once again, to be with Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni.
During our visit, Kopi and Tharni created these beautiful paintings. Kopi’s painting shows a world of her own creation called Squiggle Land.
Now, Kopi and Tharni’s paintings are hanging alongside the work of other local and national artists as part of an exhibition at the Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery, which tells their family’s story. It’s called The Long Way Home.
Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni could be safe home in Biloela before the exhibition closes on June 17th, but it all depends on how Australians vote - please join us on Kopi’s birthday this Thursday to hear from candidates who’ve joined the call to bring them #HometoBilo.
Last Thursday, Anthony Albanese re-stated his clear commitment to bringing Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharnicaa home to Biloela.
When a Q+A audience member asked if he would bring them home to Biloela if elected Prime Minister, Mr Albanese said: “The answer to your question is 'yes' ... the community want them back and they should return home to Biloela."
A growing number of independent candidates, including Allegra Spender (Wentworth), Dr Monique Ryan (Kooyong), Zoe Daniel (Goldstein), Kylea Tink (North Sydney) and Dr Sarah Russell (Flinders) have also promised to do everything they can to bring Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni safely home to Biloela, if elected.
With hope,
Angela
PS If you can’t join Thursday’s online event on Facebook Live, you are welcome to subscribe to the #HometoBilo Youtube Channel so you can catch up afterwards.
Authorised by Angela Fredericks, Biloela QLD.