Basil Zempilas: Asylum-seeking Tamil family should be allowed to stay in Australia permanently

1. We’ve made our point. We control our borders. We decide who comes into our country. We get it and mostly we support it. But in the case of three-year-old Tharnicaa and her sister Kopika, who were born in Australia, enough is enough. The girls and their asylum-seeking parents need to be allowed to settle permanently in Australia. 2. The Economist says Perth is the 6th most liveable city in the world. Beauty. The publication also says we’re three places behind Adelaide. Ouch. One of the things often trumpeted about the South Australian capital is the Adelaide markets. They are fabulous, but I often think our own Perth City Farm in East Perth gets neither the attention nor the acclaim it deserves. 3. As we strive for improvement we know homelessness remains a significant issue in our community. It’s why the City of Perth has opened a Safe Night Space for women and soon a Safe Night Shelter for men. In the first full week of operation, almost 50 places were taken up by women who would otherwise have spent the night out in the cold. But what happens to the many people wandering our streets with mental health issues? Who helps them? Thank goodness WA has a Mental Health Minister. 4. If I had the popcorn emoji at my disposal here I’d be using it. Federal Liberal Industry Minister Christian Porter up against likely Labor candidate and Wanneroo mayor Tracey Roberts for the seat of Pearce. That’s going to be a show worth watching. 5. It can be hard for “Pistol” Peter Law and I to see eye to eye but on Mia Davies we agree, she is doing an excellent job as Opposition Leader. 6. Credit where credit is due, the organisers of the two-day WA Day festival at Burswood Park deserve a huge pat on the back. Typically these events have an entry fee and it’s pay as you go for the carnival rides. Not this one. Brilliant. 7. Bravo WA footy fans, Dreamtime in Perth was a huge success. And how classy was Essendon’s full-page thank you in this paper on Tuesday. 8. The long weekend kicked off with the West Australian of the Year Awards last Friday night. One of the great good fortunes of my career has been the opportunity to meet and get to know some remarkable and inspirational people. Richard Goyder is one of them. In a corporate world often dominated by alpha males, Richard has forged a path based on intellect, passion, an enormous work ethic and kindness. And an amazing and supportive wife. 9. Rumour has it former member for Hillarys Peter Katsambanis is re-entering politics. Word is the very proud Greek Australian is running for president of the Hellenic Community of WA. 10. Unless Alastair Clarkson is available (and I doubt he is) Collingwood should give their senior coaching job to Ross Lyon. I understand the appeal of Sam Mitchell, and Clarkson deserves to get the first phone call, but Lyon and Collingwood are made for each other.

Basil Zempilas: Asylum-seeking Tamil family should be allowed to stay in Australia permanently

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