The Australian Democrats today welcomed suggestions that the Immigration Minister will make a statement regarding the Sammaki children later this week.

Senator Natasha Stott Despoja and Kate Reynolds MLC, who applied to sponsor visiting visas for the two children more than six months ago, urged the Minister to make a decision about the children’s case immediately.

“These children have been separated from their father for more than two years, and have now also been without their mother for more than 12 months, after she was killed in the Bali bombing,” said Senator Stott Despoja.

“The Government must end the uncertainty over whether Sara and Sabda will be able to visit their father in Australia.

“In Senate Estimates yesterday, Minister Vanstone fuelled this uncertainty by firstly stating that she could not intervene in the case until our appeal through the Migration Review Tribunal was finalised.

“The Minister then went on to state that it was likely that she would make a decision about the case later this week,” said Senator Stott Despoja.

Ms Reynolds said: “When I spoke to Mr Sammaki today he asked everyone to continue pleading with the Minister to do everything in her power to bring the children to Australia because he misses his children desperately and we know they miss him.  It was very hard for him to still be separated on his son’s birthday.

“Mr Sammaki told me ‘I just want to be somewhere safe with my children so we can be together as a family’.

“He also asked that we pass on his gratitude to the former Governor General Sir William Deane who has supported the call for the children to be reunited with their father in Australia.

“These two small children who lost their mother in tragic circumstances a year ago don’t understand why they still can’t see their father.

“Perhaps now that our Prime Minister has met the children, held their hands, talked and laughed and joked with them, he will allow them to be entrusted to the care of two parliamentarians and a magistrate, to talk, laugh, joke and share tears with their only surviving parent,” said Ms Reynolds.

“If the Government is capable of compassion in relation to this matter, now is the time to prove it,” concluded Senator Stott Despoja.

Senator Stott Despoja and Kate Reynolds MLC, with the support of Magistrate Brian Deegan, applied to sponsor two-week visiting visas for the children on 26 May 2003. Their application was rejected on 6 June 2003. They are now appealing this decision through the Migration Review Tribunal. The hearing is scheduled for December 5.  Following refusal of his application, Magistrate Deegan’s Federal Court appeal is set for 14^th November.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Kate Reynolds

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