Nades claimed he will be persecuted in Sri Lanka because he was forced to join the militant group Tamil Tigers in 2001 and was harassed by the Sri Lankan military. Ms Ford said she believes there is a 'good prospect' of her winning the case, which centres on two-year-old Tharunicaa, whose visa claim was never assessed. 'That's always been our position in this case. It's open to the minister to not have this go on and spend more money on it.
Ms Ford urged Mr Dutton to grant a protection visa and allow the family to stay in Australia. Priya and Nades (pictured) came to Australia by boat separately in 20, alleging they were escaping the Sri Lankan civil war 'I think people can see that it doesn't make sense for the person detaining the children to blame the parents.' 'I feel that trying to flip it around and blame the parents like that hasn't worked for Minister Dutton. 'The same argument applies that he's being unfair by detaining them, it's as simple as that,' she said. In a previous interview with Daily Mail Australia, Ms Ford criticised Mr Dutton for claiming the family was wasting taxpayer money by refusing to return to Sri Lanka. The Department of Home Affairs said in a statement: 'Australian Border Force has deemed the current placement suitable for the family.' 'We pray to God that no-one has to go through the same situation as us,' she said. In an ABC radio report last month, Priya said the family feel like animals kept on their own. But that just doesn't seem to be the government's position.'
'There's no reason for it when they could be contributing in the community as they were prior to being detained, working and not costing the taxpayer a cent. 'The money spent on this case is massive, at a time when overspending on situations like these is unnecessary, Ms Ford said. Last year the cost of detention was $1.4million, which equates to $4,000 a day. 'We have written to the department to make sure there is no crossover of guards because the last thing you want is people who are working in a volatile situation coming into a situation where a family is located.'įigures released last year showed the government has spent more than $6million detaining the family and fighting for their deportation in the courts. 'We have concerns about the recent riots at the other facility on Christmas Island,' Ms Ford said. Sisters: Kopika, five, and Tharunicaa, threeĮarlier this month detainees started fires in a violent protest as they demanded better medical care and improved internet access. 'Their lives are lonely and monotonous and the children are getting older so they're aware of their circumstances.' She's spent three Christmases in detention which is ludicrous,' said Ms Ford.
The family lives in a temporary block with a bedroom and a living room and can cook food brought to them in a separate kitchen.ĭuring the week five-year-old Kopika gets taken to school by guards while Priya stays inside to look after three-year-old Tharunicaa, who was just a few months old when her family was arrested. 'There is just no need for children to be in detention and they should be released into the community so they can be where children should be.' 'The government says Christmas Island is the most appropriate place for them to be housed even though there's no justification as to why that's the case,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Lawyer Carina Ford says they should be allowed to live in Biloela, Queensland - where they settled after arriving by boat seven years ago - until their case is closed. The Home Affairs Minister does not believe the family are legitimate refugees but the courts have ruled they cannot be deported until their legal proceedings are over. Kopika (left) gets taken to school by guards while Priya stays inside to look after three-year-old Tharunicaa (right)