Coalition says community detention not a pathway to resettlement for Biloela family

Campaigners say minister's decision must be first step' in returning Murugappans to Queensland

The immigration minister, Alex Hawke, says the government's decision to allow the Murugappan family to live in community detention in Perth will not provide a pathway to permanent resettlement in Australia.

Lawyers for the family welcomed the government's announcement on Tuesday that they will be removed from Christmas Island, but insisted it must be a first step" to returning them to the Queensland town of Biloela.