Family of slain mum seek urgent entry to Australia to care for her sons

Federal government help is being sought to bring the family of a woman who was allegedly murdered to Australia to look after her parentless children.

The grandmother and uncle of the two young boys are hoping to reunite with them after their mother was allegedly murdered by her husband and brother-in-law in Queensland.

Muzhda Habibi, 23, was found unresponsive by emergency services in an Ipswich residence west of Brisbane on May 16. She died at the scene.

Forensic police scour the Springfield Lakes home in May.Credit: AAPIMAGE

Her husband, Masihullah Habibi, 26, and his brother, Khalilullah Habibi, 28, were charged with her murder.

The family, originally from Afghanistan, had recently moved to the Ipswich suburb of Springfield Lakes.

Immigration lawyers are helping the grandmother and uncle so they can look after Habibi’s sons, who have been without parents for about a month.

Speaking outside court on Wednesday, advocate Rita Anwari said she would fight to get the boys’ relatives to Australia.Credit: Cloe Read

However, the Commonwealth has been asked to fast track the process after her husband and his brother’s matter was mentioned in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Advocate Rita Anwari said they were trying to fly the grandmother and uncle in from the United Kingdom and Spain, where they live as permanent residents.

“We need the help of the federal government to make the process faster, and also the Department of Child Safety to escalate the cases as soon as [possible],” Anwari said outside court.

“These children have gone through a month already [without family], they need their family to be close to them.”

Anwari said there had been difficulties bringing Habibi’s family to Australia because they were permanent residents in Europe, not citizens.

“I will fight to get this grandmother and uncle to Australia for the sake of the children,” she said.

“These children are motherless and fatherless. They have no one in Australia.”

In a letter to the family, Queensland Minister for Women Fiona Simpson said the community had been devastated by Habibi’s death.

“She was not just a name in the news – she was a daughter, a sister, a mother to two young boys, and a valuable member of the Queensland community,” she wrote.

“The sorrow of losing her in such circumstances is profound and immeasurable.”

Masihullah and Khalilullah Habibi’s matter was adjourned on Wednesday until July 9, with a brief of evidence requested for August 20.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 13 11 14, or Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491.

AAP