I like thousands of Australians are married to someone from overseas. As I am only earning a basic wage, the cost of a partner visa is unreachable, especially as it is constantly rising. I am married to a Filipina lady who is currently in the Philippines. I support her and her 3 children from my wage. I also run a household here in Australia. The only way I get to spend time with my wife is when I fly there for 3 weeks of the year when I get my annual leave. The only other time is when we apply for a short stay Tourist visa (which is never granted if we try to bring the children over and application fees kept). This also means my wife has to come to Australia leaving the kids home which incurs more cost for a live in Nanny ect. Why is the government so intent on keeping family's apart? My wife does not intend to be a burden on the government financially as my role as a husband is to support her. Why is the cost of a partner visa so high? It honestly feels like Australian government is trying to stop interracial marriage. My wife and I have been married just over 2 years now. Off those 2 years, we have been together 6 months. IS THIS FAIR? Why keep us apart by making the Partner visa cost so high? Its no wonder there are so many illegal immigrants in Australia. We get penalised for trying to do the right thing. Please help me and many others like me to be with their loved ones.

Thank you.

Jamie