‘Let us out, let us live in peace’: Tamil mum asks to go home to Biloela

Fresh from their victory in the Federal Court a Tamil mother has asked the government to give her family a normal life at home in Australia after two "depressing" years on Christmas Island.

Despite Friday's court win, Priya, her partner Nadesalingam and their Australian-born daughters Kopika, 4, and two-year-old Tharunicaa, remain on the island and could yet be deported to Sri Lanka.

Priya and Nadesalingam and their Australian-born daughters Kopika and Tharunicaa. Credit:Twitter/@HometoBilo

Speaking to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday, Priya said she was "very happy" with the decision but said the mental health of her two young daughters was deteriorating.

"It's very difficult for us to live here. It's very, very depressing. My children are not having a good time at the centre, I can notice they are having mental health issues because of the long-term detention," Priya said through a translator.

"During this pandemic, it's very difficult for us to live in this detention centre. It's very scary, we're constantly worried about our lives. We're asking the government to just let us out and let us live peacefully, it's very depressing to be here. Even to pass one day in this detention centre is very difficult."

The family's future rests on Tharunicaa's case.

Tharunicaa, left, is pictured with her four-year-old sister Kopika.Credit:AAP

"Our hope is that we will return to Biloela and live a normal life," Priya said.

"I am pleading with the government to send us back to Biloela. We don't want to be in detention, we can't go back [to Sri Lanka], we want to be in our home in Biloela."

"We have spent so much time in detention and we are very depressed. We ask the government to let us out, let us live in peace. We want to go back to our small community in Biloela and live a normal life with them."

Nadesalingam, known as Nades, had been working at the local meatworks and volunteered at the Vinnies op shop in Biloela. Priya was caring for their two daughters at home and voluntarily cooked for staff at the town's hospital, friends have said.

The Tamil family is pictured in detention in Melbourne.Credit:Facebook

"My husband is a hard worker, he will find a job and we will all focus on rebuilding our lives," Priya said.

"We ask the Immigration Minister to show sympathy."

Lawyer for the family Carina Ford said she was relieved by Friday's decision but said it was difficult to predict what the judgment will mean for the family.

"I feel justice has been served," Ms Ford said.

"What does that mean in a practical sense? In some ways that's still in the minister's hands and the department's hands on what happens next.

"Ultimately, we always knew it wasn't going to be automatic relief today."

Family friend Angela Fredericks said Priya has held out hope that the family would be allowed to return home.

"I think they've been well practised at this emotional ride, so I know they will be feeling tremendous relief today."

Tharunicaa will celebrate her third birthday in a couple of weeks. She was not even one year old when the family was first detained.

The parents came to Australia separately by boat in 2012 and 2013 following Sri Lanka's civil war, claiming to face persecution due to links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline 131 114, or beyondblue 1300 224 636.

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