Tamil family supporters hit out at minister’s ‘inaccurate reporting’ claim
Karen Andrews #KarenAndrews
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has come under fire after claiming an illness that saw the daughter of the detained Biloela family removed had been inaccurately reported.
It comes as father Nades and daughter Kopika were reunited with mother Priya and ill sister Tharnicaa this morning in Perth.
Ms Andrews told 4BC’s Neil Breen this morning that the information about “the illness that (Tharnicaa) is suffering from is inaccurate” and was “well and truly” being treated.
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“What I can say is a lot of the reporting about the illness the child is suffering from is inaccurate,” Ms Andrews said.
It’s been reported that Tharnicaa had untreated pneumonia that led to a blood infection.
Supporters of the Murrugappan family in Biloela have hit back at Ms Andrews’ claims and said she should be listening to the doctors treating the family.
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“We talk to the family every day and we listen to what the doctors tell us – I don’t think Karen’s a doctor,” family friend Bronwyn Dendle told 9News.
“Perhaps she should listen to what the doctors are telling us as well.”
A family spokesperson has also confirmed to 9News that Tharnicaa’s pneumonia did lead to a blood infection and the four-year-old will still require eight weeks of treatment.
9News has contacted Minister Andrews’ office for clarification but she has declined to comment.
Some of the family’s closest supporters have also today travelled to Perth to be with them. They say the visit will give them a further sense of belonging.
“Biloela is with them, no matter where they go this is their home and we are always going to be here for our friends,” Ms Dendle added.