A lot has transpired since my last update. Firstly, we are almost at 15,000 supporters - which is just absolutely mind blowing!
Myself, and a select few other temporary skilled visas were lucky enough to be mentioned by Nick McKim in the senate last week which led to an exemption for our travel ban.
I am currently writing this update from my mandatory hotel quarantine... in MELBOURNE, Australia! Personally, I didn't think I would see the day but here we are, and its thanks to each and every one of you supporting the cause.
Unfortunately, it hasn't been all good news for the majority of the thousands of other skilled visa holders stranded around the world. We are still seeing compassionate and compelling cases that are rejected every day - with no valid reason!!
So the fight is NOT OVER. I will still continue to push these issues until all temporary visa holders are back home here in Australia. We have a support group with almost 1000 members on Facebook and we are all campaigning together - see end of this update for more info.
If you've been following the news in Australia you may have seen some of us featured! Here is a lengthy roundup of everything that has happened over the last few weeks:
Political Videos
It was my honour to table a petition on behalf of 11,700 people calling for visa holders to be allowed to return to their homes, families and jobs in Australia | Senator Nick McKim | https://www.facebook.com/NickMcKim/videos/166473871469268/
Hundreds of people with families in Australia and a legal right to be here are stranded overseas. We need to bring them home | Senator Nick McKim | https://www.facebook.com/NickMcKim/videos/240606177263654/
People with a right to be in Australia are being kept from their families. They at least deserve clarity about how decisions are being made. | Senator Nick McKim | https://www.facebook.com/NickMcKim/videos/240394863835870/
Senator Nick McKim wrote a letter to Minister Alan Tudge | https://www.facebook.com/NickMcKim/photos/pcb.10157054584847056/10157054584717056/?type=3&theater
News Articles and Broadcast
19-May-20
'Temporary' Australians stranded overseas | Canberra Times | https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6762785/temporary-australians-stranded-overseas/?cs=14231
'Temporary' Australians stranded overseas amid coronavirus lockdown | 7News | https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/temporary-australians-stranded-overseas-amid-coronavirus-lockdown-c-1047420?fbclid=IwAR05Hb8YXOr-L667QIMZpXfY8TLRBxzYt3_JApPIKFFnQ1GihTOuO3ZpiLQ
'We Invested Everything': Couple Who Live, Work In Australia Stranded In India, Facing Homelessness | 10 Daily | https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200517kylhv/we-invested-everything-couple-who-live-work-in-australia-stranded-in-india-facing-homelessness-20200519?fbclid=IwAR2QuN0TLKWkHb-tZ6ZG2TE2cM0pKB6tN80APKb7H8gRn-BAPYU5BC6mnK4
Nearly 800 people stuck offshore exempted from Australia’s travel ban on ‘compassionate’ grounds | SBS Punjabji | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/nearly-800-people-stuck-offshore-exempted-from-australia-s-travel-ban-on-compassionate-grounds
This family's flight from Pakistan was delayed two hours, now their lives in Australia are ‘on hold’ | SBS News | https://www.sbs.com.au/news/this-family-s-flight-from-pakistan-was-delayed-two-hours-now-their-lives-in-australia-are-on-hold
I am a registered nurse, please let me come back": Temporary visa holder stuck in India urges government to allow her to return | SBS Hindi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/i-am-a-registered-nurse-please-let-me-come-back-temporary-visa-holder-stuck-in-india-urges-government-to-allow-her-to-return?fbclid=IwAR3-lsXDqKffA2z4i1HBJlR9nS-JslS_Bpm0wetrDR-P1-l9OZHyFVUXzHk
'Temporary' Australians stranded overseas | Guardian News, Advocate and 25 other local sources | https://www.nambuccaguardian.com.au/story/6762785/temporary-australians-stranded-overseas/
'We just want to be together': Dad's plea after being separated from wife and kids by travel ban | 9News | https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-skilled-workers-temporary-visa-holders-stranded-by-travel-ban/007c87ba-ef1c-4e55-bf35-769479893525
Australia’s COVID-19 Border Closures Separates Families of Migrant Workers | Voa News | https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/australias-covid-19-border-closures-separates-families-migrant-workers
17-May-20
Coronavirus lockdown leaves skilled workers stuck in or out of Australia during pandemic | ABC News | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-17/coronavirus-skilled-migrants-travel-bans-australia-covid-19/12253434
Coronavirus pandemic gives us a chance to take stock on immigration | Sydney Morning Herald | https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/coronavirus-pandemic-gives-us-a-chance-to-take-stock-on-immigration-20200515-p54th9.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3rHcSZ3o6m6-uxi8hKPKqylJgl2nfHxmk_ZQ9hUnarq8dtyQgsDDsvtEU
16-May-20
Coronavirus travel restrictions: When will Australia open its borders to temporary visa holders? | SBS Punjabi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/coronavirus-travel-restrictions-when-will-australia-open-its-borders-to-temporary-visa-holders?fbclid=IwAR22xbDiWrowCO817f0hSjQVG9AQrwHI9HW1uR6qisznWQMsg0ZXNfSfuWY
14-May-20
Immigration minister rejects pleas from hundreds of temporary visa holders to return to Australia | SBS News | https://www.sbs.com.au/news/immigration-minister-rejects-pleas-from-hundreds-of-temporary-visa-holders-to-return-to-australia
13-May-20
Temporary visa holders separated from partners by coronavirus travel ban plea for return to Australia | SBS News | https://www.sbs.com.au/news/temporary-visa-holders-separated-from-partners-by-coronavirus-travel-ban-plea-for-return-to-australia
Temporary visa holders denied exemptions to travel to Australia on ‘compassionate grounds’ seek clarity on assessment criteria | SBS Punjabi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/temporary-visa-holders-denied-exemptions-to-travel-to-australia-on-compassionate-grounds-seek-clarity-on-assessment-criteria
11-May-20
Migrants in Australia face months of separation from family after being denied exemptions to travel bans | SBS News | https://www.sbs.com.au/news/migrants-in-australia-face-months-of-separation-from-family-after-being-denied-exemptions-to-travel-bans
Family tragedy leaves Irish couple caught up in Aussie travel ban | 9News | https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-coronavirus-travel-ban-temporary-visa-holders-foreign-workers-stranded-overseas/9b3d1479-b92a-4e82-8059-5d34a4ba381f?fbclid=IwAR1luoASpXaviZPhvWC8o8kBssL0nbUgXYOPO1Nu0Wvx2VIMd0pNy53BVNQ
Meet the women separated from their families because of the travel ban | SBS News | https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=249963496354658
08-May-20
Temporary visa holders from India plea for help as more Australians set to return home | SBS Punjabi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/temporary-visa-holders-from-india-plea-for-help-as-more-australians-set-to-return-home
Government reveals plan to re-open Australia; includes international student travel | SBS Hindi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/government-reveals-plan-to-re-open-australia-includes-international-student-travel?fbclid=IwAR2W5F4c6zNFX8jXSok6Zaj0abmq3fU6gBMYrOy8zjIL4-nAUQ-qDPsgpko
PM Scott Morrison says return of international students to Australia is now a 'possibility' | SBS Punjabi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/pm-scott-morrison-says-return-of-international-students-to-australia-is-now-a-possibility?fbclid=IwAR2UWs3psrsnyEkYMMhxvMBOasJVO6mYl22yo0Q3iFFMObRb-sX1qOJOmUE
05-May-20
Foreign workers who call Australia home stuck overseas in limbo | 9News | https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-travel-ban-foreign-workers-who-call-australia-home-stuck-overseas-in-limbo/12cf7ba7-2077-4b4b-ba8e-90461ec127cc?fbclid=IwAR0BMAH1sHm67as5te7cPUpvLS6G8DVFcrp6G1adz6LPG8_yKeJKuS-LTv4
04-May-20
Temporary visa holders from India plea for help as more Australians set to return home | SBS Punjabi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/temporary-visa-holders-from-india-plea-for-help-as-more-australians-set-to-return-home
Immigrants don't take Australian jobs. They create jobs for others | The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/04/immigrants-dont-take-australian-jobs-they-create-jobs-for-others?fbclid=IwAR1qqFZ4o_2Y3rYDZlfVUdeZOjzdDvZjKFLa5Pa7ugWC9kcL3zGZwj8gnRU28-Apr-20
Exclusive: Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge addresses concerns of Indian nationals on temporary visas in Australia | SBS Punjabi | https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/exclusive-acting-immigration-minister-alan-tudge-addresses-concerns-of-indian-nationals-on-temporary-visas-in-australia
If you are a skilled visa holder and are stranded overseas please join us in our support group as you are not alone -https://www.facebook.com/groups/591383751735280/