British couple win visa battle after MS deportation fear
In their latest post, they said: "We are proud to announce we are Australia's newest Permanent Residents!"They added they were "over the moon" when their MP Allegra Spender told them that Tony Burke, minister for immigration, "personally contacted her to confirm the decision".
Ms Mathers and Mr O'Leary, from London, met while backpacking in the country in 2017 and have lived there ever since.In 2020, she was diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting variant of MS, which is a neurological condition with symptoms including muscle stiffness and difficulties in walking and talking.Ms Mathers received treatment in Australia under a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and said her condition had been "well managed" so far.But the couple's requests for permanent residency were rejected in 2023 due to the costs linked to her medical care.Non-citizens entering Australia must meet certain health requirements, including not having "unduly increasing costs" for the country's publicly-funded healthcare service Medicare.
Mr O'Leary said they had offered to pay the medical costs themselves or take out private insurance, adding that "the law is black and white, and the refusal is based on that, it's really hard for us".Their petition, which drew more than 25,000 signatures, called on Australia's minister for home affairs to review their case and look into immigration policies that "unfairly target individuals with well-managed health conditions".
Mr O'Leary, who works in the construction trade, and his partner, who is a project manager and DJ, were "not asking for special treatment" but a chance to continue "working hard to contribute to this country in meaningful ways".In their latest post, they thanked supporters and said "there are so many things we've put on hold - just in case we had to leave"."But now, with this door wide open, we feel more focused and excited than ever to build our future in the country we love."Our families are overjoyed and already thinking of planning a trip to celebrate with us."
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an hour ago
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'Furthermore, in some cases, documents which were before the inquiry... appear to show, indicatively at least, information which was redacted on the drawings (e.g. the internal physical arrangements of some of the buildings).' As a result, Ms Rayner has asked China to 'identify precisely and comprehensively' what has been redacted, what the nature of the redactions are, and the rationale and justification for them. The letter also requests an update from Ms Cooper and Mr Lammy on two conditions they set for the 'mega-embassy' in February. The first was to consolidate all Chinese consular premises in London in the new complex, and the second was for a hard perimeter to be built around part of the site so people can still access some historic ruins. If Ms Cooper and Mr Lammy refuse to budge on their demands, Beijing will need to agree to the adjustments or abandon the plans, which have been years in the making. 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Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told Sky News in June: 'We've seen the Chinese government cracking down on dissidents, running secret police stations in the UK, even putting bounties on the heads of dissidents, some of whom I've met. We should not be giving permission to this.' Ms Rayner also faces a backlash from her own party if she waves through the application, with one Labour MP telling The Telegraph in June they thought it would be wrong to approve it. The row presents an awkward dilemma for Sir Keir Starmer, who has pursued a strategy of engagement with Beijing while attempting to maintain a positive relationship with Donald Trump, a prominent China sceptic. Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, has said the UK will offer a 'fulsome response' to any security fears raised. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has said he would support a judicial review into the decision if the plans are approved. This would involve challenging the lawfulness of the decision, raising the prospect of it being overturned in the courts. The Chinese embassy has always waved away criticism of the proposals and the claims about national security being in jeopardy. In response to previous reports about the basement rooms being used as 'spy dungeons', a spokesman said: 'Anti-China elements are always keen on slandering and attacking China.'
