Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has posted a picture of himself and two asylum seeker boys on social media, calling for them to be able to stay in Australia. The photo has been shared almost 2000 times and has attracted hundreds of comments.
Mr Andrews posted the picture of himself and the two boys visiting the zoo on Monday along with a heart-felt message to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
"It was so special meeting these two boys," he wrote.
"Perhaps they don’t really know what might be happening to them. Perhaps they don't yet understand.
"Please, Prime Minister: it doesn’t have to be like this.
"Let’s do the right thing by these children and their families. Let’s prove that we really are a fair and decent society."
Mr Andrews is one of five state and territory leaders who have offered to find homes for the 267 asylum seekers, including 37 babies born in Australia, who are at risk of being sent back to Nauru.
The asylum seekers had been in Australian seeking medical treatment and awaiting a High Court decision as to whether their detention on Nauru was legal and in line with the constitution.
The High Court ruled last week the government was legally allowed to maintain regional processing centres which meant the asylum seekers could be sent back to Nauru at any time.
