The Murugappan family should never have been sent to Christmas Island.

The family built a life in Biloela, in regional Queensland. They became active and valued members of their community and their two girls were born in Australia.

This has nothing to do with border security. The Government’s use of $50 million of taxpayers’ money to detain and attempt to deport this family has been an exercise in financial waste and abject cruelty.

I welcome the Minister’s decision to release the family from detention and reunite them in Perth.

The Morrison Government should use the occasion of World Refugee Day – which is today – to do the right thing and allow Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa to return home to Biloela.