The modern Liberal Party is very attached to its tough asylum seeker policies, because it's always been a vote winner for them.

But are there exceptions to that rule?

The case of Australia's most prominent asylum seeker family returned to court this week, and the Government lost its high profile appeal against them.

And their case has support from some unexpected parts of Australia's ideological spectrum.

The Tamil family rose to prominence after the Central Queensland town of Biloela campaigned strongly on their behalf, after their temporary settlement there was brought to an abrupt end.

Despite this week's ruling, there's no end in sight for their detention on Christmas Island.

So what’s next for the family? And what's in it for the Government to keep up this fight?

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Helen Davidson, reporter, Guardian Australia

Josh Taylor, reporter, Guardian Australia