UK couple facing deportation from Australia after woman's incurable diagnosis plead for intervention
Now they are appealing for immigration minister Tony Burke to green light their visa and allow them to stay in the country which has become their adopted home.
Their story is similar to so many others – they came from the UK in their 20s seeking sun, adventure, opportunity and everything that Australia has to offer.
They met at a backpackers hostel in 2017, fell in love and decided they wanted to make Australia their home.
In a cruel twist of fate, Jess was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
She receives regular treatment and her condition has remained stable, allowing her to work and contribute positively to the community via charity work.
Her treatment doesn't cost the Australian taxpayers – because it's covered under Australia's reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.
However, it's being used as a reason to block their application for permanent residency because she failed to meet the health requirements.
All visa applicants must meet health requirements, in part to ensure that Australian citizens and permanent residents can access healthcare which is in short supply and to control how much we spend on health services.
Now it's up to the immigration minister to make a decision on whether they will be allowed to remain in the country.
'Jess and Rob are perfect examples of what Australia needs – a young couple who have a lot of potential, already have contributed to Australia in so many ways over the last eight years,' their lawyer Marial Lewis from Crossover Law Group told NewsWire.
The couple – surrounded by a throng of friends and supporters – on Monday afternoon appeared before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal where sought to overturn the immigration department's decision to block their visa.
They were told by Senior Member Kira Raif that their only option was to request a new health test from a second practitioner.
However, the tribunal heard that would do little given Jessica's diagnosis.
The next step is to now ask Mr Burke to use his powers to personally intervene in their case.
Support for their cause is evident by the fact that over 22,000 people have now signed a petition calling for them to be allowed to stay.
If they are booted out of the country, Australia will lose two business owners who have dreams of expanding and providing secure jobs for hardworking Aussies.
Rob is a skilled labourer and carpenter and has his own company – O'Leary Cranes and Construction.
Ironically, he wanted to expand and bring on employees. But because of his visa status, he couldn't get a loan from banks to cover a few month's worth of wages.
'We've been here 10 years and I've got dreams, I've got goals over here, goals that are only going to benefit the economy, what I want to do with my business,' Rob said.
'The reason I haven't been able to act on some of my ideas is because I haven't been able to speak to banks … That's actually hindered the Australian economy potentially. We have a vision of what we want to do and that will only benefit the country we live in.'
While Jessica is a whirlwind of energy. She works at a law firm, occasionally moonlights as a nanny, is a part-time DJ and a tireless campaigner for charity.
This Friday she's hosting a DJ night and fundraiser for World MS Day at Noir at Darlinghurst.
The couple are currently on bridging visas which are due to expire in approximately a month.
They now hope the minister can use his powers to allow them to stay in Australia.
She says the case is all about her love for Australia, and her and Rob's desire to make it their home.
'If (Mr Burke) gives us a visa, we will continue to contribute positively to the economy and we can offer so much more than we do now,' she said.
'I'm restricted because of my bridging visa – but I still jump from temp job to temp job, I DJ every weekend, I do all the charity work I do.
'But if I had a permanent visa, it would open so many more doors for me. There are so many businesses I've gone to that need permanent residency to work.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'I feel free': Millie's miraculous escape from death to become a champion
Millie Campbell has overcome an illness that almost took her life to become a swimming champion. The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free". "To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said. At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection. Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised. Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery. "Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said. "It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool." She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles. As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport. Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle. "It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said. "At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life." Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through". "After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said. "These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it. "I also really value the support I've had from others along the way. "It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up." Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths. She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep". Her recovery from her injuries continues. She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment. NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said. Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic. This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024. NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people". Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue. "It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said. "As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed." She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her. "We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said. Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived". "A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for." Millie Campbell has overcome an illness that almost took her life to become a swimming champion. The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free". "To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said. At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection. Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised. Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery. "Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said. "It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool." She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles. As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport. Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle. "It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said. "At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life." Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through". "After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said. "These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it. "I also really value the support I've had from others along the way. "It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up." Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths. She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep". Her recovery from her injuries continues. She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment. NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said. Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic. This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024. NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people". Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue. "It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said. "As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed." She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her. "We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said. Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived". "A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for." Millie Campbell has overcome an illness that almost took her life to become a swimming champion. The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free". "To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said. At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection. Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised. Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery. "Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said. "It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool." She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles. As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport. Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle. "It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said. "At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life." Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through". "After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said. "These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it. "I also really value the support I've had from others along the way. "It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up." Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths. She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep". Her recovery from her injuries continues. She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment. NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said. Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic. This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024. NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people". Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue. "It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said. "As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed." She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her. "We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said. Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived". "A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for." Millie Campbell has overcome an illness that almost took her life to become a swimming champion. The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free". "To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said. At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection. Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised. Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery. "Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said. "It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool." She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles. As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport. Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle. "It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said. "At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life." Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through". "After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said. "These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it. "I also really value the support I've had from others along the way. "It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up." Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths. She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep". Her recovery from her injuries continues. She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment. NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said. Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic. This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024. NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people". Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue. "It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said. "As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed." She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her. "We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said. Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived". "A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for."
ABC News
8 hours ago
- ABC News
Smartphones affect young people's mental health so are dumbphones the answer?
How old were you when you got your first smartphone? For many Aussies born in the past two generations, such as Ekaager, 16, Kian, 15, Daiwik, 16, and Jiujiu, 15, smartphones have been a part of life since early childhood. "I think I was 12 or 11, around that age," Ekaager said. Kian said: "I think I was like 10 or 11." "I was definitely 12," Daiwik said. "Yeah, something like 12," Jiujiu said. A global 2024 study commissioned by tech company Human Mobile Devices (HMD) found that young people were being given smartphones at an average age of 11 years old. In some cases, smartphones were being introduced as young as three years old. This early introduction to smartphones has "dramatically reshaped childhood and adolescence", according to new research published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities. Using survey data from more than 100,000 18 to 24-year-olds, researchers found that the younger those surveyed got a smartphone, from the age of 13 and under, the worse their mental health was. The specific symptoms reported included suicidal thoughts, aggression and detachment from reality. When asked what they thought about the findings, the teens BTN High spoke to said it made sense. "Especially because a lot of the platforms I use, like Instagram, can be a little addictive … it's hard for me to put it down," Lily, 15, said. "I remember in year 10 I was really at my lowest and I think that social media was the significant contributing factor to it," Eric, 17, said. Harsimrat, 15, said it was not just the mental health impacts. "There are many issues like attention span," he said. "Because even myself, sometimes in class, I just doze off because I just can't spend that much time looking at the board." Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg led a review into phone use in schools in 2018, which has since resulted in a nationwide ban on phones in public schools. Dr Carr-Gregg said that while the study's results were new, it was something experts had suspected. "I think it was 2007, the Apple iPhone was launched, we started replacing a play-based childhood with a screen-based childhood," he said. "And right across the western world … we have seen an increase in depression and anxiety and self-harm. "Therefore, this is just a confirmation of what we already knew." The study also recommends "graduated access restrictions," keeping anyone under 13 from having a smartphone, which Dr Carr-Gregg approves of. "Smartphones tend to be a distraction. They do interfere with sleep," he said. "They do create, I think, avenues for cyberbullying, extortion, those sorts of things. "So, for me, the result is from the university of the bleeding obvious, which is why I think a restriction, a delay, on young people having smartphones is sensible." Some of the teens BTN High spoke to also agreed it was a good idea. Lachlan, 15, said: "It's just probably for the better in future life." Others, like Angus, 16, weren't keen on it. "Thirteen is past that age where we … enter high school," he said. "I feel like phones are a big part of socialising and that sort of connection that many people rely on. "So I think it's a bit harsh." A "dumbphone", also known as a feature phone, is a basic device with limited functionality. No internet browsing, no apps, no complex multimedia functions – and that's the appeal for some young people, such as 18-year-old Jameson Butler. She is the co-founder of The Luddite Club, a group of teens in New York dedicated to promoting the conscious consumption of technology. "My sleep schedule was off the charts," Jameson said. "I was staying up until 3am. I was staying in my room, you know, on my phone. "And I just felt bad … I didn't feel there were any options or ways to combat that." Jameson said after ditching her smartphone, life improved. "I'm more present at family dinners. I do my schoolwork faster, I have better grades, I've become a lot less scatterbrained, and I've just become a lot more driven and ambitious." The Luddite Club has been gaining popularity. Jameson told the ABC's Brain Rot Podcast that she was seeing Luddite Clubs starting to pop up in Florida and Philadelphia, and she had even had some enquiries from Australia. While the dumbphone trend has been growing in the US and Europe, I want to find out if it is something young Aussies are doing too. After sitting at the University of Adelaide for more than an hour, no young people I spoke to even knew of anyone who used a dumbphone. "Yeah, this is too old," said one student. Harsimrat agreed, saying, "No, that's back in the old days." None of Dr Carr-Gregg's clients are on board either. "I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say I don't have one who's doing that," he said. "Once you've got a smartphone, I think the likelihood of you going back to a dumbphone is very, very small. "And that's because really the way in which my clients communicate with one another these days is through social media. "And therefore the smartphone is absolutely essential." Alex, 17, said a loss of connection might be putting young Aussies off. "I think there's a big fear of missing out," he said. "It's like if people aren't connected with their screens and social media and stuff, they … can't see what other people are posting, [what] they're doing on it. "A lot of my friends live in different places throughout the world, and I wouldn't be able to call them on a phone like that," Lily said. Despite social media being a major part of smartphone use, some teens, such as Alex, reckon Australia's incoming ban for under-16s won't change too many minds. "There are other things you can do on [smartphones], like games and stuff, even though you don't have social media," he said. Simar, 16, said in her case, a smartphone was handy for her parents to know her location because she had to walk to school by herself. Ekaager thinks young people will keep their smartphones and find ways around the ban. Nevertheless, Ekaager was open to giving the dumbphone trend a go, as was Eric. "Maybe I should with the current exam season coming up," Eric said. Lily agreed that it would be "a nice experiment to try". And Alex said, "I'd probably struggle to, but I would maybe give it a try just to improve my mental health."
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
ASX set to fall, Wall Street mixed; Microsoft, Meta surge
Stocks indexes were mixed in afternoon trading on Wall Street after a health care sector slide offset some of the gains from a rally among big tech companies. The S&P 500 was up less than 0.1 per cent, holding just below the record high it set on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 88 points, or 0.2 per cent. The technology-heavy Nasdaq rose 0.3 per cent and is on track for a record. The Australian sharemarket is set to retreat, with futures at 5.10am AEST pointing to a loss of 52 points, or 0.6 per cent, at the open. The ASX lost 0.2 per cent on Thursday. The Australian dollar was fetching 64.33 US cents at 5.25am. Health care stocks were the biggest drag on the market after the White House released letters asking big pharmaceutical companies to cut prices and make other changes in the next 60 days. Eli Lilly & Co. fell 2 per cent, UnitedHealth Group slid 4.9 per cent and Bristol-Myers Squibb was 4.5 per cent lower. Roughly 70 per cent of stocks in the S&P 500 were losing ground, but big technology stocks with hefty values helped temper the impact of losses in health care and other sectors. Loading Technology stocks rose following results from big companies showcasing advancements in artificial intelligence. Facebook and Instagram's parent company Meta Platforms surged 11.9 per cent after it crushed Wall Street's sales and profit targets even as the company continues to pour billions into artificial intelligence. Microsoft jumped 4.1 per cent after also posting better results than analysts expected. The software pioneer also gave investors an encouraging update on its Azure cloud computing platform, which is a centrepiece of the company's artificial intelligence efforts.
