Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has welcomed a Ministerial decision to allow the Atep family of Bingara more time to stay in Australia.
The family’s right to stay was due to end today however, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Tony Burke has requested his Department prepares a Ministerial Intervention Submission for his consideration.
Mr Joyce says the request allows the Atep family to apply for a Bridging Visa which would allow them to stay in Australia legally, until the Minister hands down his decision on the family’s future.
He says he’s been working with the Minister’s office to bring about a resolution to the Atep family’s plight and appreciate the temporary reprieve and paid tribute to the way the New England community threw its support behind the family through many phone calls and more than two thousand people signing a petition of support.
