Extract from ABC News
No actual discussions have taken place between Australia and two countries flagged as resettlement options for a Tamil asylum seeker family being held indefinitely at Christmas Island detention centre, the ABC has been told.
Key points:
- The family have been held at Christmas Island since 2019
- The children were born in the Queensland town of Biloela
- The family were taken into custody after the parents' visas expired
On Tuesday, the government publicly raised the prospect of the Biloela family, including their Australian-born children, being resettled in New Zealand or the United States.
It came as mother Priya Murugappan made a desperate plea from hospital for them to be released in Australia, with her daughter being treated for a serious illness that saw her rushed to Perth from Christmas Island.
Supporters of the family that has spent three years in immigration detention said they were in the dark about the idea until Foreign Minister Marise Payne revealed it to the media.
Idea labelled 'unnecessarily cruel'
Supporters and advocates said they were unimpressed by the prospect of a third-country resettlement option.
"It's unnecessarily cruel to send them to another country," Human Rights Watch Australian researcher Sophie McNeill tweeted.
The Tamil Refugee Council said the family should be returned to Biloela, not sent to another country.
"That is the easiest option and that is what the government should be looking at," founder Aran Mylvaganam said.
"Thousands of Australians want this family to be returned to Biloela and we want that message to be taken seriously rather than looking for other options."
Immigration lawyer Carina Ford, who represents the family, said the idea came out of the blue.
"In relation to the suggestion there is a resettlement offer, we have not heard anything and nor has our client," Ms Ford said.
"It has taken us by surprise because it hasn't been discussed and nor has it, in the past, been applied to the cohort my family is in.
"We are hesitant to agree to it until we know further details and know whether it is realistically on the table."
A handful of protestors gathered outside Attorney-General Michaelia Cash's Perth electorate office today, calling for the family and other Tamil asylum seekers to be settled in Australia.
Christmas Island stay has cost $6.7m so far
The family remain adamant they do not want to return to Sri Lanka, from where the parents arrived separately by boat in 2012 and 2013 before marrying in Australia and having two children in the country.
Parents Priya and Nades plus children Tharnicaa and Kopika resided in the Queensland town of Biloela before they were taken by Australian Border Force officials in 2018.
Since 2019, they have been held at Christmas Island, an operation that cost the Federal Government $6.7 million up to January.
Medical treatment on island questioned
Priya and Tharnicaa are currently at Perth Children's Hospital after the girl was rushed there on an emergency flight, with what supporters say was untreated pneumonia leading to a blood infection.
But the Department of Home Affairs has steadfastly rejected claims the medical treatment of Tharnicaa was botched.
"The minor has been receiving medical treatment on Christmas Island consistent with medical advice," the department said.
"Healthcare
services for detainees on Christmas Island are broadly comparable with
those available within the Australian community under the Australian
public health system."
The federal government has continued to defend its handling of the situation, saying a tough approach to arrivals by boat had halted deadly incidents involving people-smuggling vessels.
"We have taken a strong but very compassionate stand … this is the road this government has taken, but people are no longer dying at sea and I think that's a very good thing," Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds said.
"There is no simple solution to people arriving in Australia illegally.
"If people come here illegally, they will not settle here permanently."
Candlelit vigil outside hospital
More than 300 people braved the cold and rain to attend a candlelight vigil outside Perth Children’s Hospital on Wednesday night in support of Tharnicaa’s health battle and the family's fight against deportation.
Tamil-Australian
woman Anji Sam attended with her own daughters Nala, 10, and Meera,
8, and said she wanted the family to be allowed to stay in Australia.
“I think this touches everyone in Australia,” Dr Sam said.
“I’ve got two daughters, they’ve got two daughters, it strikes too close to home and I want this changed, enough is enough.”
The crowd lined the busy Winthrop Avenue outside the hospital for over an hour, holding signs and singing children’s songs.
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