By Romy Stephens
Protestors gathered outside Casey MP Tony Smith’s office on Friday 6 September to call for greater protection for refugees and asylum seekers.
Grandmothers against Detention of Refugee Children members held signs and submitted a letter to Mr Smith calling on him to help a Tamil family of four to avoid deportation.
The family had been living in Biloela, Queensland, for four years but are facing the prospect of being sent back to Sri Lanka.
Group member Prue Litcht, from Belgrave, hoped Tony Smith would talk to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Immigration Minister David Coleman and help the family return to Biloela.
“They’ve lived in Biloela for four years, they’re part of that community. The community want them to stay,” she said.
“They’re doing good work…they’re an integral part of that community.
“They have children born in Biloela, the whole town it seems to me is supporting them.”
Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children co-ordinator Virginia Schneiders said the group was also asking Mr Smith to sit down and have a face-to-face meeting.
“He has not agreed to meet with us to discuss this issue and that’s part of the reason why we’re protesting,” she said.
“It makes us feel very powerless when a local member will not at least sit down and talk to us.”
Mr Smith said he read the group’s letter and understood its demands, but disagreed with its views on immigration policy.
“It is wrong and unfair to make an exception for one family,” he said.
“This family’s case has been comprehensively assessed, over many years.
“They have gone on to appeal to the Federal Magistrates’ Court, the Federal Court and the High Court.
“They have explained their circumstances to every decision-maker and judge and every one of them has rejected their claim for protection.
“That is, that they are not refugees.”
Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children advocates for the freedom of all asylum seekers and refugee children detained under policies and actions authorised by the Australian Federal Government.
