Posted by Michael Wonder on 08 Jul 2019
Family to stay in Australia after son with cystic fibrosis initially deemed a 'burden'
8 July 2019 - A Victorian family at risk of being deported back to their homeland of Ireland after their son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis is celebrating that they will now be able to stay in Australia.
Christine and Anthony Hyde have lived in Seymour in central Victoria since 2009, but their application for permanent residency was rejected as their three-year-old son Darragh was deemed a "burden" on Australia's healthcare system.
Their permanent residency application was finally approved last Friday after the case was referred to David Coleman, the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.
The now three-year-old was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a condition which requires him to rely on the $300,000 per year drug Kalydeco which is covered on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Permanent residents are required to meet basic health requirements before they can be granted a visa and under Australian migration law, costs associated with treatment cannot exceed $40,000 a year.
