Is this a further sign of the Government’s lack of compassion for older people?
Reader Claire Ward has alerted us to the case of her father, Ron Ward. The 86-year-old man is currently in London but had been granted a Bridging Visa to allow him to immigrate to Australia.
On the basis of this visa, he sold his UK home and booked a flight to Australia for Sunday 11 October.
His possessions are already on their way to Sydney in a shipping container, but late on Wednesday night, the Department of Home Affairs denied his exemption to travel to Australia.
His daughter contacted us out of desperation, saying:
“Unless he is granted an immediate exemption for travel to NSW, my 86-year-old father will be stranded completely alone in the UK with no possessions, and nowhere to live. He is distressed and increasingly disoriented trying to cope with the last-minute rejection of this application by the Department of Home Affairs.”
Mr Ward has certification that he is COVID negative and the family has offered to provide whatever resources necessary for his quarantine upon arrival.
His daughter has now contacted the Home Affairs Minister, Aged Care Minister, Royal Commissioners, local MP and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner to beg for intervention.
A truly terrible situation for any family. We hope the Government sees sense on this matter – and soon.
