The federal government is understood to be on the verge of announcing a solution that would allow a Tamil asylum seeker family detained for several years on Christmas Island to live freely in Australia.
Key points:
- Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is considering intervening in the case
- The ABC understands senior ranks in the government want a positive outcome for the family
- The youngest daughter is currently still in hospital in Perth with her mother
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has been considering intervening in the long-running legal battle by issuing the Murugappan family with visas, or by allowing them to apply for a range of visas.
It is unclear precisely what Mr Hawke will decide, but the ABC understands there is a strong will in the most senior ranks of the government for a positive outcome.
Mr Hawke and senior ministers including Josh Frydenberg have been inundated with calls from colleagues, concerned about the family's fate, since four-year-old Tharnicaa Murugappan was rushed to hospital in Perth last week suffering a serious blood infection.
Her mother, Priya, went with her, leaving her older sister and father in detention.
Mr Hawke is also expected to decide whether the rest of the family will be allowed to travel to Perth to be reunited with Tharnicaa and Priya, following a request from Western Australia's Health Department.
The department has asked for permission for them all to remain in the city after Tharnicaa is discharged so she can be close to medical care, on the advice of her doctors.
Speaking from the United Kingdom overnight, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said options were being considered that were "consistent with health advice and the humanitarian need and the government's policy".
"But that wouldn't be government policy for a pathway to permanent settlement," he told reporters.
"That is not the government's policy."
Opinions divided in Coalition
His comments came after Liberal backbenchers Trent Zimmermann and Katie Allen spoke out publicly, urging the government to allow the Murugappan family to resettle in Biloela, the Queensland town they once called home.
"This has gone on for too long," Dr Allen said in a statement.
"We urgently need a timely resolution to a situation that's endangering the health and wellbeing of innocent children."
7.30 Report
)The family of four lived in Biloela up until 2018, when they were moved into Immigration detention and, the following year, onto Christmas Island.
Privately, some within the Coalition concede it was a mistake, and too heavy-handed, to send the family to the remote island as they fought deportation to Sri Lanka.
The parents, Priya and Nadesalinga, arrived by boat in 2012 and 2013 but both daughters were born in Australia. However, their claims for protection have been rejected by the courts.
Some within the Coalition are deeply uncomfortable with the prospect of giving the family an exemption from the government's hardline border policy, especially given that they are not considered to be refugees.
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2021-06-14 07:06:34Z
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