Family of Tamil asylum seekers deserves to know their future, says Qld Premier

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has slammed the federal government over its treatment of a Tamil refugee family on Christmas Island.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says it’s time the federal government made a decision on the future on the “tragic” plight of a Sri Lankan family seeking residency in Australia.

Australian Border Force officials removed the family from the regional Queensland town of Biloela in 2018 after their visas expired, and they have been on Christmas Island since 2019.

The couple, Priya and Nadesalingam, arrived separately as asylum seekers in 2012 and 2013 and were married in Biloela in 2014. Their two children, Kopika and Tharnicaa, were born in Australia.

Tharnicaa is being treated in a Perth Hospital after being ill for two weeks on Christmas Island where the family is being detained. Picture: Supplied

On Monday, Tharnicaa, 3, was flown to Perth from Christmas Island with her mother amid concerns she could have a serious infection after being ill for two weeks.

The family’s future hinges on whether their youngest daughter has a right to apply for a protection visa. The daughter’s case is before the court.

Priya and Nades have taken their case for a protection visa to court and the refugee tribunal after the government dismissed their claims, but they have been denied.

The family has enormous support within Biloela and a petition to keep them has garnered more than half a million signatures.

Ms Palaszczuk said a decision needed to be made on their future as they had been through enough.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says it’s time a decision was made on the family’s future. Picture: Tara Croser

“Look, what’s happening to that family is incredibly tragic,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The were a family based in Biloela and I think it's time the federal government made a decision about that.”

Also throwing their weight behind the family is the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) who have called on the Morrison government to address the issue.

RACGP president Karen Price said the mental health and wellbeing of the family must come first and the healthcare of asylum seekers in detention should be of a similar standard to any person living in Australia.

“The welfare of these family members must be front of mind,” Dr Price said.

“We believe that detention of vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and survivors of torture and trauma should be avoided, and for others it should be strictly for the minimum time possible.”

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the family were not legally considered refugees.

“In relation to resettlement options, the arrangements that we have in place with the United States and New Zealand are in respect to refugees,” she told 4BC radio on Thursday.

“This family does not have refugee status.”

Members of the public hold a vigil outside the Perth Children's Hospital where Tharnicaa, 3, is receiving medical care. The family has been detained on Christmas Island since 2019. Picture: Getty Images

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said the issue had dragged on for many years.

“I just think this issue is longstanding … I think they need to sort it out,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“If that means they need to use one of their exemption powers under the Act, just do it and resolve the issue – we actually need workers in Australia at the moment – and get this very unfortunate and somewhat internationally embarrassing issue past us.”

Originally published as Family of Tamil asylum seekers deserves to know their future, says Qld Premier