Bridging visas for Biloela family
Biloela family: Temporary visa not all it seems
South Australian refugee advocates are drawing attention to the recent actions of the Federal Government as it responds to the tide of national concern about the plight of the Murugappan family, who had been living in Biloela prior to being taken into immigration detention, and whose daughter Tharnicaa was rushed to Perth from Christmas Island for medical treatment.
News headlines across the nation have reported that the immigration minister, Alex Hawke, has used his discretion to grant three members of the family temporary (3 month) bridging visas. The younger sister Tharnicaa, who has been in Perth receiving treatment and recovering from a serious blood illness and pneumonia, has not been granted any changes in her visa arrangements. Because of this, the family must therefore remain in Perth and cannot return to Biloela where there is significant community support for them to come home. There are many in Perth who will continue to support the family in the meantime.
The headlines reported that the family would be released from community detention with rights to work and study. On the surface, this may seem to be a good thing, and an improvement in their situation. However, all is not as it seems.
Being “’released from community detention’ onto a bridging visa” is usually code for the withdrawal of Government support. People in community detention are provided with housing, but that is not the case for those on bridging visas.
What we do know is that members of the Murugappan family have been placed on a short term bridging visa with work and study rights.
‘3 month bridging visa’ – with work rights
The visas are short term, which makes it more challenging for the parents to seek work with potential employers, rendering a visa with work rights almost meaningless.
‘3 month bridging visa’ – with study rights
It is not widely known that the Government charges refugees and asylum seekers the same rate to study as overseas students, which are prohibitive to all but the very rich. To study nursing, for example, annual fees are $30 000+. A 3 year degree would cost about $100 000. That doesn’t factor in living expenses and rental. There may be cheaper qualifications but not many which can be undertaken in three months, and particularly when parents are caring for a daughter recovering from a life threatening illness.
The Government is making things ever more tortuous for the family.
The public needs to be aware of what lies behind these headlines.
Read the Justice for Refugees SA press release here.