PriyaNadesTharnicaaKopikaThe family at Perth airport on Wednesday Getty: Matt Jeloneki’m not crying, you are. Getty: Matt JelonekAccording to SBSAngela FredericksABC Radio
"Me and my family are very happy to start our journey back to my community in Bilo. Thank you to all [of you people in] Perth, thanks. Love you Perth." – Priya Nadesaslingam. #HomeToBilopic.twitter.com/HEkCKJjjQR
As Immigration Minister I am also thinking about how we can finally resolve this, so the family can rebuild their lives in Biloela with the certainty they deserve.
I am being briefed on the options available to best achieve this and will make my decision as soon as possible.
family has officially returned to Queensland thanks to the efforts of campaigners and this is genuinely some of the best news of the year so far.
, and their daughters and touched down at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday afternoon after setting off from Perth earlier in the day.
I’m an absolutely huge fan of the cockatoo toys TBH.
Priya Nadesalingam told reporters at Perth airport that the family was excited to started the journey back home to their “community in Bilo”.
“Thank you all, thank you to all in Perth,” she continued.
, the family is expected to get back to Biloela on Friday.
Campaign co-ordinator told how excited the family is to return.
“We’ve been talking the last couple of days about just the town of Bilo… we’ve been reminiscing and they’re just so eager to get back there,” she said.
“The girls are so excited to be going on a plane with their parents. They’ve been on lots of plan trips over the last four years but they’ve all been in horrific circumstances.”
The family will also be celebrating Tharnicaa’s first birthday outside of detention. It’ll be pink themed which is an excellent, excellent choice.
Pics of the family on their plane were shared by the official Bring Them Home To Bilo campaign’s social media account.
The family of Tamil asylum seekers was taken from Biloela in 2018 after their visas expired. They were then held on Christmas Island for three years.
Tharnicaa became seriously ill with a blood infection while on Christmas Island. She was flown to Perth in 2021 for treatment, where the family has been in detention since.
It’s absolutely incredibly to know that they’re finally on their way home after sustained, powerful calls from the Biloela community.
The family been granted temporary bridging visas — but they haven’t been granted permanent protection yet.
On Wednesday, Immigration Minister said he was “being briefed on the options available” for the family.
In some good news though, the Bring Them Home To Bilo campaign also for the family. It’ll help cover the wages they lost while in detention.
After the family touched down at Brisbane Airport, Nades called out: “hello Brisbane, hello Queensland!”
Soon, the family will be able to say hello to Biloela too.
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