Thread by @LorraineBranna2

🎄The Biloela family will be spending their 3rd Christmas in DETENTION

Priya, Nades, Kopika & Tharunicaa’s movement is LIMITED & everywhere they go they are escorted by SECURITY GUARDS.

They have been the ONLY Detainees for more than a year, other than those in a

🧵1/-

separate part of the centre who've had their visas revoked
after being Convicted of CRIMES in Australia.

Priya says every day on Christmas Island drags.
“We spend our day, either in the bedroom or the dining room. Its really boring for us, its very DEPRESSING & LONELY.”😥

🧵2/-

A statement from the Department of Home Affairs said the family had access to health & welfare services & their detention placement was regularly reviewed

“Australian Border Force (ABF) has deemed the current placement SUITABLE for the family,” it said

As of October 2019

🧵3/-

the department said it had spent $4.5m keeping the family in detention, incl $2.5m in detention costs, $1.1m in travel & $300,000 in legal costs

Since then there's been NUMEROUS further Crt Appearances

The department DID NOT respond to Multiple Requests for UPDATED COSTS

🧵4/-

In April, Justice Mark Moshinsky ruled that Tharunicaa had been DENIED procedural fairness, but the Federal Government has since APPEALED.

The rest of the family have exhausted their appeals.

Until the outcome of the appeal is determined

🧵5/-

the family will remain in detention INDEFINITELY, barring Ministerial Intervention
#LNPCruelty
@AlboMP
@KKeneally
@ScottMorrisonMP
@PeterDutton_MP

Priya says the support the family receives from the people of Biloela & across Australia helps sustain them.
theguardian.com/australia-news…