THE St Vincent de Paul Society has called on new Home Affairs minister Karen Andrews to urgently release a Sri Lankan family held in detention on Christmas Island.
After the announcement of the Morrison Government’s ministerial reshuffle, the Society’s national president Claire Victory said Ms Andrews’ strident stance in recent days regarding the mistreatment of women in the federal parliament was a welcome sign that she would act on her convictions.
Ms Victory called for the release of Priya and Nades Murugappan and their daughters, Kopika and Tharnicaa, who were taken from their home in Biloela into detention more than three years ago.
“They must be allowed to return to the Biloela community in Queensland, which has fought for their return. Detention is no place for two little girls,” Ms Victory said.
“I also encourage the Minister to revisit New Zealand’s offer to resettle refugees from Manus and Nauru and to immediately release those still in Australian detention.
“I stand with Australian women, to support the minister in the early days of her new role to make these compassionate and sensible decisions.
‘“Apart from anything else, these three decisions would save the Australian taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars each year.”
Ms Victory said there were other pressing issues the new minister might visit in her early days in the portfolio, including streamlining a pathway to permanent residency for the many people existing on temporary protection visas, and encouraging asylum seekers and refugees to work and settle in regional areas where there was a labour shortage due to the pandemic.
“I also encourage the minister to look behind the veneer of labour hire arrangements where vulnerable workers have been exploited for years,” she said.
“Finally, we understand that 14 men currently held in detention in Papua New Guinea have coronavirus.
“PNG’s coronavirus cases have tripled in the last month. Their health system is on the brink of collapse.
“We need to help our neighbours by providing more vaccines and medical staff, as a matter of urgency.
“I will write to the Minister and look forward to meeting with her to discuss these issues further.”
