Refugee Tamil family battles government repression

Ever since the infamous Tampa Affair in 2001, Australia asylum seekers and refugee policies has been marked by xenophobia, cruelty and government intransigence. Even thought there has been a mass movement since the Tampa affair against these policies, both major parties continue this hard line stance. The latest victims of this repression has been a Tamil family of four who had been quietly living in the regional Queensland town of Biloela. Priya, Nadesalingam and their children, Kopika, 4, and Tharunicaa, 2, are now imprisoned in the offshore concentration camp of Christmas Island waiting for a last minute appeal that might allow them to remain in Australia.APC talked to FSU union organiser, Tamil Refugee Council spokesperson, and a former refugee himself, Aran Mylvaganam on why this case has generated such a upswell of support for this family. Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia