There is increasing concern that the asylum-seeking Bakhtiyari family will be deported from Australia today. The Australian Government has refused the family refugee status and plans to deport the family to Pakistan, although the family continues to argue it is from
Mother Roqia and her six children were moved to community detention housing at Port Augusta last week, while father Ali is at Baxter Detention Centre. Dale West, from the Catholic welfare agency Centacare, says the family packed their bags on Christmas Day. He believes they will be flown out of the country today. "Exactly how that will happen I think's open to speculation," he said. "I'd be surprised if the Government went ahead with something that so many people knew about."
| If Mr. Howard had a noodle for a spine, you might be right. |
Mr West says he has given up on last minute appeals to the Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstrone. "The Federal Government have made it clear by their public statement and by their actions of last Saturday morning when they came and woke the children and took them from their beds back to the Baxter detention environment that they are hell-bent on deporting this family," he said. "New information about their origins, appeals for compassion all of those things seem now to be past and it's my view that the family will be deported."
A spokesman for Senator Vanstone says arrangements are being made to deport the family as soon as possible, but would not confirm if that will be today.
Farewell !! Have a lovely trip ! BYE BYE NOW !!