A British couple living in Australia are set to be deported due to a visa health rule that's been called 'outdated'.
Robert O'Leary and Jessica Mathers have been building a life in Australia for the last eight years after first meeting in Sydney.
In 2020, Jessica was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a chronic disease of the central nervous system.
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Cruelly, this meant that Jessica and Robert would have their application for permanent residency in Australia rejected, with the government citing potential future costs regarding her MS as a strain on the economy.
On the Australian government's website, the rules relating to health requirements are explained.
"Australia enjoys some of the best health standards in the world," the government states
"To maintain these standards, most visa applicants must meet minimum health standards before we will grant them a visa.
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"We call this 'meeting the health requirement'. We may assess your health as part of the visa application process."
To meet the requirements, the government explain you must be free from a disease of condition that is 'a significant healthcare and community service cost to the Australian community [or] likely to limit the access of Australian citizens and permanent residents to healthcare and community services that are in short supply by placing demand on those services'.
They add: "If you have a significant medical condition, the MOC will advise us whether the condition is likely to: threaten public health; result in significant healthcare and community service costs [or] place a demand on healthcare or community services that are in short supply."
Robert and Jessica have since launched a Change.org petition to plead for intervention from the Immigration Minister, explaining how the decision has had a devastating impact on their ability to plan for the future.
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"This decision has been devastating. It has affected our ability to plan for our future since 2021, limiting Jessica’s career opportunities," the couple wrote on their petition page.
"We both respect that healthcare costs need to be considered, but we strongly believe that our situation - Jessica’s stable condition and our contributions to the community should be taken into account," the couple added.
"We have worked hard and paid taxes since we arrived in Australia in 2016/17."
The pair are hoping that intervention from the government will not only allow them to stay in the country but possibly even bring about reform to Australian immigration policy.
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"We are not asking for special treatment, but for fairness," they added. "We love Australia, and we have worked hard to contribute to this country in meaningful ways."
You can find out more about Robert and Jessica's petition here.
Topics: Australia, Health, World News
Lucy Devine