The Wire

Today in Melbourne a Federal Court judge delayed the deportation of Nadesalingam Murugappan, his wife Priya and their two small daughters for just two more days after the government said it would not intervene in the case. The political stakes are high with Opposition leader Anthony Albanese visiting their previous home, the Queensland country town of  Biloela, to join the call by the family’s supporters for the government to have a change of heart.  The particular case is dividing Australia along unusual lines with many conservative commentators dismissing claims that if they are allowed to stay the smuggling trade will see it as a green light.