While due process needs to be observed, it would be fair to say that in this case it has been protracted far too long, and the humanity and dignity of the victims completely overlooked.

Priya and Nadesalingam both arrived in Australia during the Stop the Boats campaign, though at different times and on different boats.

Do we really understand what the words refugee and asylum seeker actually mean?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a refugee as a "person taking refuge, especially in a foreign country, from war or persecution or natural disaster."

It goes on to describe refuge as a haven, shelter from danger and protection.

In my opinion, anyone risking their life on an illegal boat to escape in the hope of finding a better life must be in a desperate situation.

They would never expect to be outcasts for years in their country of refuge, or end up in detention on Christmas Island for years.

With this little family currently under the media spotlight, we have two little girls born in Australia, one of whom is being treated in a Perth Hospital with her Mum beside her, but separated from her dad and sister until yesterday.

What these years of isolation, deprivation of normal social life, pre- school opportunities and hardship have been doing on the emotional, psychological and physical and mental wellbeing of each of them defies description.

They were happily settled and accepted in Biloela prior to their removal to Christmas Island, and the residents there are supportive of them being returned.

If the reports we hear and read of illegal and criminal behavior at all levels of society, it would seem more reasonable for the Government to save the outlandish expense of Christmas Island detention and spend it on cleaning up some of this activity!

There is currently some movement at many levels to deal with sexual assault, domestic violence, and problems in the provision of Aged Care.

Surely our Government funds would be better spent in these fields rather than wasted unnecessarily on maintaining asylum seekers detention on Christmas Island.

It is encouraging that some important people, and some politicians have found the courage to speak out on this issue.

It is not just a matter of finance or border security.

It is about human kindness and what Venerable Catherine McAuley called that rarest of virtues - Commonsense.

Jesus is recorded in the New Testament as advising his followers to "do unto others what you would like them to do to you."

We can only hope and pray that our Government will allow both these attributes to become evident and effective in their decision making, and that the heartbreak and helplessness of the current situation will not be reciprocated in other cases.

These people need our mercy and compassion, understanding and goodwill, so that the "endless plains" we claim to share in our Australian Anthem might actually be a reality for desperate people, and not just a few words in a Song we sing on occasions.

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