COMING to Australia after months in detention on Nauru must seem like heaven to the 21 refugees who arrived in Brisbane earlier this month.
Their joy is tinged only by thoughts of those they left behind in detention and the possibility that they could still be returned to the countries from which they escaped some time in the future.
Under the temporary protection visas (TPVs) they have been issued, they will need to reapply after three or five years for an extension, without knowing whether they will be successful.
In the meantime, they will have to try to go on with their lives in a state of limbo, with limited resources and always aware that they could be sent home.
These refugees deserve to be welcomed by Australians.
If they so desire, they should be given the opportunity to make a new start in this new land.
