The Murugappan family will land in Brisbane on their return to Biloela from Perth, after spending four years in a community detention center.
The Tamil family, who arrived in Australia from Sri Lanka as refugees a decade ago, have been embroiled in a battle for a few years to return home to the interior of Queensland, where they had been living on bridge visas.
The family will return to the outback community on Friday, where the community will celebrate its long-awaited arrival.
Priya and her daughter return to Queensland on a flight from Perth. (Facebook)
Priya and Nades Murugappan’s youngest daughter, the four-year-old Tharnicaa, will live her first birthday out of custody soon after.
Ms Murugappan said the family was excited to return home while boarding a flight to Perth this morning.
The Murugappan family received bridge visas to return to Biloela. (Facebook)
“My family and I are very excited to begin our journey back to our Bilo community,” he said.
“Thank you all in Perth. I love you Perth, thank you.”
Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said she congratulated the family’s return to the state.
“Today is a very good day for the family to return home to Queensland,” the prime minister said.
“It means a lot to the community and I think it means a lot to this family.”
The Murugappans are processing their new visas in Perth. (Twitter)
Residents of the small inland community have been fighting for the family’s return since their home was raided and they were arrested in 2018.
The Home to Bilo campaign, run by locals, has been instrumental in getting the family home.
Angela Fredericks said the family and their supporters were happy that the Murugappans could finally begin rebuilding their lives.
Gathering of the community of Biloela to celebrate the return of the family. (Twitter)
“We’ve talked to Priya and Nades and they share our overwhelming sense of joy and relief at this news, and we all welcome the decision to issue bridge visas to the whole family,” Fredericks said as he left. announce the news.
“But this family will never be safe until they stay in Australia.”