Sri Lankan girl Eliza Fonseka with Down syndrome receives temporary visa to live in Australia after Peter Dutton intervenes
Exclusive by Caitlyn Gribbin
A Sri Lankan girl Eliza Fonseka who made headlines after being refused a temporary visa because she has Down syndrome will be allowed to live in Australia, after Immigration Minister Peter Dutton intervened in her case.
Key points:
- Greg Chappell says it was the first time he had been involved in an immigration issue
- Decision not to allow Eliza entry caused outrage in disability advocacy circles
- Down Syndrome Australia chairman says he was “thrilled” with the minister’s decision
Eliza Fonseka, nine, also found an unexpected ally in former Australian cricket captain Greg Chappell, who advocated for her to be granted the visa.
“I’m very excited for Eliza, I’m very excited for the family,” said Chappell, who was approached to help Eliza’s family by her father, a cricket coach.
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“I think in this case compassion has won out.”
Chappell said it was the first time he had been involved in an immigration issue.
“Probably in this particular style, yes, but through the years I’ve been approached to support a few things and where I thought it worthy, I’ve been more than happy to support the cause,” Chappell said.
“I thought [this] was a very worthy cause.”
Eliza’s parents want to work in a Christian crisis centre in remote Western Australia.
The Immigration Department last year issued them a temporary work visa but Eliza was not granted a visa because the Immigration Department said she was considered to be a “significant cost to the Australian community in the areas of health care”.
That decision caused outrage in disability advocacy circles.
Discrimination still exists for people trying to migrate to Australia
Eliza’s father Angelo Fonseka said the Immigration Minister’s decision comes after 11 months of fighting for his daughter.
“We are so happy and excited,” Mr Fonseka said.
“I was overjoyed and I couldn’t talk.
“Myself and my sponsors were emotionally overjoyed and we thank God.”
Mr Fonseka said his daughter was in good health and not on medication, and the family had Australian private health insurance to cover any medical costs.
She has been granted a Temporary Work visa, which is valid until December this year.
Down Syndrome Australia chairman Angus Graham said he was “thrilled” with the Minister’s decision.
But he said there was still a discrepancy between the Disability Discrimination Act and the Migration Act.
“Inconsistencies and discrimination still exist for people trying to migrate to Australia,” Mr Graham said.
The Fonseka family plans to move to Shark Bay, 800 kilometres north of Perth, to work at a Christian crisis centre that provides food, accommodation and support to people in need.
Eliza will attend school in the small town that sits in a World Heritage Area in the Gascoyne region.
Mr Fonseka also thanked the Federal Government, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett, Down Syndrome Australia and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance for their support.
The Immigration Minister has been contacted for comment.
