Tamil asylum seeker family touch down in Biloela after four-year struggle
Priya Nadaraja, Nades Murugappan and their daughters, Kopika Nadesalingam and Tharnicaa Nadesalingam, were living in the central Queensland town when their bridging visas expired in 2018 and they were taken into immigration detention.
They were found not to meet Australia's refugee requirements and have since been held in detention in Melbourne, Christmas Island and in community detention in Perth. It is understood the Albanese government is considering granting the family permanent visas, though the Prime Minister has not spoken about the matter directly.For now, however, supporters like Marie Austin are just happy to see the Nadesalingams back where they belong.
"To finally be able to see them walk into Biloela — it's just like a dream come true really," she said. "I didn't ever want to think that it wouldn't, but I just couldn't see how it was going to happen either."It's been a really long four years to get to this point — it's a pity that it did take that long."