The Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has moved in the "public interest" to grant temporary three month bridging visas to three members of the Murugappan family, although the family must stay in Perth for now instead of returning to the Queensland town of Biloela.
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The Tamil family, who are recent long-term residents of immigration detention on Christmas Island, are in community detention in Perth after being reunited in the wake of hospital care for the youngest daughter Tharnicaa.
The family has widespread support in the community as it exhausts legal avenues to stay in the country, including from the community in Biloela and political figures on both side of politics.
The minister says he intervened in the case after a request from the family.
"Yesterday at the request of the Sri Lankan family formerly resident in Christmas Island, I exercised my power under section 195A of the Migration Act, granting members of the family three month Bridging Visas, providing work and study rights," Mr Hawke said in a statement.
"Under section 195A a minister can intervene to grant a person a visa if it is in the public interest to do so."
The minister says the decision allows three members of the family to reside in the Perth community on bridging visas while the youngest child's medical care, and the family's legal matters, are ongoing.
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The decision does not affect the fourth family member.
He says the family will continue to have access to healthcare, support services, housing and schooling in the Perth community.
Supporters of the family say the youngest daughter, Tharnicaa, has not been granted a Bridging Visa and remains in community detention.
The group Home to Bilo say it is this decision that will keep the family in Perth.
"Today's news is another huge step in the long journey home for Priya and her family," Angela Fredericks said in a statement. "But still there is no pathway home to Bilo."
"While we welcome Priya, Nades and Kopika being granted bridging visas, we wonder what precisely is the Minister's objective in denying Tharni one. The family must stay together and they need to be back in Biloela as soon as humanly possible."
"We know just how many Australians hold this family in their hearts, and have helped them to this moment today. Now, we need Mr Morrison and Mr Hawke to finally acknowledge that widespread support and ends this long, painful saga for my dear friends."
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Karen Barlow
Karen Barlow is ACM's Chief Political Correspondent. Working in the federal press gallery, she investigates and writes about federal politics and government. She has an interest in integrity, leadership and social equity. She has covered two Olympics and been to Antarctica twice. Contact her on karen.barlow@canberratimes.com.au
Karen Barlow is ACM's Chief Political Correspondent. Working in the federal press gallery, she investigates and writes about federal politics and government. She has an interest in integrity, leadership and social equity. She has covered two Olympics and been to Antarctica twice. Contact her on karen.barlow@canberratimes.com.au
