Personal statement from Rory and Michelle Hewitt ........

​"For twelve years, Australia has been our home.
​We made the heartbreaking decision to leave South Africa because we wanted to give our children opportunities they simply would not have there. We didn’t come here looking for a handout; we came here to work, to contribute, and to build a safe life for our family.
​We knew we were leaving our extended family behind, but we never anticipated the true cost. We never imagined that twelve years later, we still wouldn't have seen them. We took on these heavy sacrifices with the deep belief that it would all be worth it in the end.
​But the personal toll has been devastating.
​Michelle and I have been married for 31 years, and every loss we've faced has been a deeply shared heartbreak. From afar, together, we have had to mourn the loss of my mother and my grandmother. We grieved the loss of Michelle’s grandparents. When Michelle’s sister was diagnosed with cancer, we couldn’t be there to hold her hand or support her. To make matters worse, she—and my mother, just before she passed away—were both denied visas to even come and visit us. Then, just a year or so after Michelle's sister finally went into remission, her husband—my brother-in-law—passed away, and once again, we couldn't be there to comfort our family.
​Through all that heartbreak, we kept our heads down. We paid our taxes, volunteered our time, and stood by our community through the hardest parts of COVID-19. We raised our two boys here, who are now qualified electricians—doing the exact trade work this country desperately needs. We recently welcomed our beautiful granddaughter into the world.
​Our entire lives are here in Queensland.
​We are at the end of a long visa journey, and this is the only route left to us. We did everything by the book. We followed every rule, submitted every document on time, and maintained our lawful employment. Over the last twelve years, we have spent $70,000 on visas, fees, and doing things exactly the way the government asked us to. We never complained about the cost, because we believed we were investing in our family's future as Australians.
​But because the Department took 15 days to process a piece of paperwork back in 2023, leaving a nine-day gap through absolutely no fault of our own, we are being punished.
​Twelve years of hard work, loyalty, and unbearable personal sacrifice are all being erased by a nine-day administrative delay on a bureaucrat's desk.
​Because of that technicality, the Department abruptly stripped both of us of our right to work. That single decision is what started this entire nightmare. I had to resign from my job to protect my employer from being fined, and Michelle was forced out of hers. Overnight, we were plunged into severe financial hardship.
​And last week, our plea for Ministerial Intervention was denied. The outcome letter claimed that Michelle didn't meet a single criteria. That is simply untrue. Her occupation is on the regional skills shortage list, her employer is desperately fighting to keep her, and she even went as far as earning an additional diploma during this process just to strengthen our case.
​At 52 years old, we are staring down the barrel of losing our home, our jobs, and our children, because of a mistake we didn't make.
​Australians believe in a fair go. This is not a fair go.
​We are not asking for special treatment. The Department made this error, not us. We are simply asking the Minister to step in, see the twelve years of dedication and sacrifice we've given to this country, and grant us the permanent residency we have worked so hard for.
​Please, let us stay with our family

A beloved family, dedicated to our community, is on the brink of being torn apart due to visa emigration restrictions despite having called Australia home for over 12 years. As cherished neighbours, caring friends, and committed contributors, their absence would be a profound loss. This family isn't just living in Australia; they are part of its heartbeat, seamlessly woven into its social fabric.

For more than a decade, they've administered their expertise and compassion across the community, participating in local events, volunteering, and sharing their skills. Their children and grandchildren, born and bred here, cannot fathom a life without their family nearby. Imagine being forced to separate from your loved ones, a scenario grimmer given their indelible contributions to society.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, skilled and family visas bring significant benefits to the nation, contributing to economic and cultural richness. Despite ticking all the boxes for a longer stay, this family faces the harsh reality of visas tearing them apart.

We urge the Department of Home Affairs to reconsider the visa emigration restrictions affecting families like theirs. By providing exceptions or flexible extensions, they can preserve their invaluable contributions and uphold Australia's reputation as a multicultural beacon. This family deserves to remain in the country they love and have tirelessly helped build.

Please sign this petition to support keeping this wonderful family united, and to send a clear message that contributions and community bonds matter. Let's stand together to make a difference.