Anthony Albanese’s promise to ’adored’ Biloela family after Labor’s election win

An asylum seeker family who spent years in detention are expected to be able to return home to Biloela after Labor labelled it a “priority”.

An asylum-seeker family who has spent years fighting to return to the town of Biloela in Queensland is set to be allowed to under the new federal government.

Priya and Nades Murugappan along with their Australian-born daughters, Kopika and Tharnicaa, are Tamil.

Sri Lanka still remains a dangerous place for Tamil people due to the active repression of Tamil citizens.

Mr and Mrs Murugappan were given temporary protection visas after arriving in Australia almost a decade ago and soon settled in Biloela, rural Queensland.

However, authorities forced the family to leave the town in March 2018 after their visas expired and they were placed in a Melbourne detention centre.

The Murugappan family have most recently been in community detention in Perth. Source: Supplied

Labor member for Brand in Western Australia, Madeleine King, reaffirmed the part’s pre-election promise on Sunday but couldn’t say when it would happen.

“I understand they have a community (in Biloela) that adores them,” she said in a statement.

Angela Fredericks from the “Home to Bilo” campaign had been informed of the victory.

Gladstone Zonta Club supporting the Home To Bilo campaign.

“We now believe that this long, painful saga can finally come to an end. This family has been away from their home for more than four years. They never should have been taken from the town that loved and needed them.

“Many happy tears were shed,” she said.

“As they make the long journey to Biloela to resume their lives here, they also commence a journey of recovery and healing.”

Since being forced to leave Biloela the foursome have been ferried to different detention situations including a stint on Christmas Island in 2019

The family has most recently been in community detention in Perth.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese’s promise to ’adored’ Biloela family after Labor’s election win