Six months since Australia's borders closed, separated families are losing hope

Temporary visa holders separated from their families due to Australia’s international border closure are losing hope they will be reunited, six months after the travel ban was announced.

“How can our situation be more ‘compassionate’, having a six-month daughter and my wife stuck there, how can I be more compassionate than that?,” said Mr Rafiq, who has not seen his daughter and wife since January. He said his family would be happy to undergo COVID-19 tests and pay the cost of mandatory hotel quarantine if granted an exemption, but they just want to know when, if ever, that will happen.

“I do understand there are travel bans, but it’s already [been] six months, it’s too long," the 32-year-old said. “It wasn’t sustainable for us to be apart indefinitely. They [Home Affairs] never processed his visa and were unwilling to give us any updates,” she said.

maanitruu Really sorry for his situation but however many babies or kids are involved, Australia should prioritise its citizens with kids, then permanent residents with kids, then only followed by temporary visa holders with kids. 😔

maanitruu Why leave Australia? Australians come first.

maanitruu Its not a visa merry-go-round, why the hell do people with temporary visas think they have some gods given right to get back into country. Once you leave for any reason why should you be allowed back if you did not want to stay here in the first place. Get a permanent visa first.

maanitruu I haven’t been permitted to see my girlfriend in six months and we both live in Australia.

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