Media and politicians' ignorance.

Sky News Chris Smith told Eric Abetz that the Tamil children are Australian citizens. They are NOT, and Abetz didn't correct him.

To be Australian citizens, children born here have to have at least one parent who is a citizen.

Hi Yuyutsu,

I see the majority of Liberals in parliament, although conservative on many issues, somewhat liberal on this matter. However there is a core of conservative politicians led by Dutton that I consider racists, thus the "redneck" term. I can help but think, if there people were from another country and white that they would be treated differently.

Hi Foxy,

On this matter I take your advice, and try and put myself in these people shoes. All I can say is "There but for the grace of God, go I". How many people escaped Nazi Germany with forged papers, they to were breaking the "law", but were they not right to do so. As we know, the "law" can be whatever those in authority want it to be. You can see from this thread it does not take much to shift some from on opinion to something far more extreme, and they use the phrase "after all its the law" as justification.

Good Morning Paul,

My parents fled their country from the Stalinist terror
as did so many other people. As well as people fleeing
the Nazis. However, they came to this country legally.
They waited their turn to be accepted. And, many others
still do the same.

This family, at first came for economic reasons and
then changed their minds - saying they were fleeing
from persecution as Tamils. In the meantime, the father
went back to Sri Lanks 3 times during the Civil War.
He was not arrested or persecuted - and Home Affiars
had no evidence that he or his family were in any kind of
danger. He was able to travel freely - from Australia to
Sri Lanka.

Also all along Home Affairs made it quite clear to the
family that they were not considered as refugees and
that they would not be staying in this country.

Then their daughters were born. However according to the Home
Affairs website - children born in Australia automatically
acquire Australian citizenship IF at least one parent is an
Australian citizen OR a permanent resident at the time of
the child's birth. Their girls don't qualify. As neither
parent was.

Much fuss has been made about this family, and it has gone on
for far too long. The stress on them I can't even begin to imagine.
They should have been deported straight away.
The injunction should NOT have been issued to keep them
in this country. That was a gross mistake. And cruel.

The government NOW needs to wear that mistake and settle
this matter once and for all. U agree with you now.
It's gone on for too long. They should be allowed to stay.
Swifter action needs to be taken in the future. The government
mucked u p. They need to fix it.

Freedom of speech is essential to democracy, but some of that speech can be stupid. The stupid sort has certainly been expressed in this post by people with apparently no idea of human nature, what it means to have responsibility, and with too much political bias. We all have political bias, but we have to put it aside when it comes to common sense and what is best for our country. Even opposing politicians are capable of that.

Who is allowed into this country is important, and we do not need politicians making decisions like fond old grannies giving treats to their grandchildren.

This Tamil family has no right to be here. All the sentimentality and warm, fuzzy feelings of people with no responsibility does not change that. If there is any weakness by the government on what is about the country's, future security - not some 'poor helpless' people who arrived here illegally and who have been proven several times to not be due asylum - then bad things are in store for a country unable to control its borders and immigration.

Talk of the release of the Tamil illegals indicates that Morrison, the man who stopped the boats, is about to cave in to activists whose concern is not for the Tamils, but for the overturning of Australia's sovereign border protection.

The Marxists are winning against a weak elected government.

Hi Foxy,

What for me transcends the law, overrides all other considerations in this case is the fact the Biloela community want this family with them. I believe the vast majority of Australians want them here, half a million signed a petition in support, the family wants to be here. I know with your generous heart, given the opportunity to meet and get to know this family I think you would change your mind.

I have never met these folk, but other refugees I have, and believe me once you get to known people, and they are not just an unknown statistic or faceless number, you realise that they are only trying to do the best they can for their family they love. I don't begrudge anyone from doing that, nothing is more important than family.

I recall some years back meeting a Jordanian family in Sydney, the nicest, warmest people you could ever meet. They had two young children like these folk. All they wanted was the best for their kids, and they were so thankful Australia was giving them that opportunity.