Australia is about one month away from elections and refugees will likely be a major factor for voters. The government recently refused to reverse a court ruling to deport a migrant family. Even though the family is getting strong support from the community. Greg Navarro explains.  

For Angela Fredericks and Bronwyn Dendle, this full-page ad is the latest effort to raise awareness about Nadesalingnam, his wife Priya and their 2 small children. The family has spent the last year in detention in Melbourne, and just about run out of options to remain in Australia.

BRONWYN DENDLE FRIEND OF ASYLUM SEEKER FAMILY "Getting the ground swell locally was important and that was just by getting the information out."

Nades and Priya fled the war Sri Lanka and arrived separately in Australia by boat in 2012 and 2013. The couple met in Queensland, moved to the rural town of Biloela, and started a family. Fredericks says she immediately bonded with Priya.

ANGELA FREDERICKS FRIEND OF ASYLUM SEEKER FAMILY "She more cared about me and how my day was going than about herself and I think just that gentleness, it was always that offer of what can I do for you."

Despite calling Biloela home for several years where Nades worked at a local meat plant, the couple's application seeking asylum in Australia was rejected. The government ruled they had entered the country illegally. Under Australia's controversial border protection policy, people who try to reach the country's shores by boat illegally are intercepted and held in offshore detention centers. The policy has recently become a cornerstone campaign issue for the government just months away from an election.

SCOTT MORRISON AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER "It is still the case that our government is running border protection in this country and that, of itself, is a great deterrent because they know our resolve."

GREG NAVARRO BILOELA, AUSTRALIA "Almost a year ago to the day, neighbors say authorities came to the family's home here in Biloela in the early morning hours without warning and took them into custody - at one point, separating the children from their parents."

People in the community began to hold rallies and vigils here and around the country, they petitioned politicians, and have tried to raise awareness where ever possible.

ANGELA FREDERICKS FRIEND OF ASYLUM SEEKER FAMILY "They need to see this family as an example of what we want. We actually want people who go to rural places where we need population growth, they go into jobs we struggle to fill and they assimilate."

People here fear the family will face persecution if forced to return to Sri Lanka.

BRONWYN DENDLE FRIEND OF ASYLUM SEEKER FAMILY "It is so easy to make a policy or a law on paper, but actually when you bring the human factor in and you realize that we are talking about living breathing humans, it definitely makes us review what we are doing and why."

The family currently has an application before Australia's High Court, but so far, no court date has been set. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Biloela.