Queensland town begs Dutton not to deport refugee family
Couple were given 10 minutes to pack for themselves and their two daughters
Residents of a small Queensland town and their supporters have picketed the federal court in Melbourne asking for an asylum seeker family forcibly removed in a dawn raid to be allowed to return home.
The family are facing deportation to Sri Lanka but yesterday the federal court judge delayed her decision on their appeal.
The family of four had overstayed their bridging visa by one day when officers from the Australian Border Force, as well as police officers and Serco guards, arrived at their home at 5am in early March, taking them to immigration detention in Melbourne.
Priya and Nadesalingam were given 10 minutes to pack for themselves and their two Australian-born daughters — nine-month-old Dharuniga and two-year-old Kopika.
Yesterday the judge adjourned to review the arguments before making her decision, and requested the federal home affairs department not to deport the family in the meantime, said a friend of the family, Angela Fredericks.
Outside the court, residents from the central Queensland town of Biloela and supporters gathered on the lawn, holding signs, cut-out pictures of cockatoos and photographs of the family.
“This family had integrated so well, they were our friends, they were our neighbours, they were part of our community,” said Fredericks.
“Ever since they arrived Nade has put up his hand to work. He volunteered at St Vincent de Paul ... Their two children were both born in Biloela, they are our people.”