Michael, it is not prudent to assume. As you are well aware it is not necessary to have an income to obtain a bank or private loan. So no it is not apparent that I endose Ali working. What I would propose is a loan mortgaged with substaintial local assets or the Legal firm dealing with Ali's application, if they are convinced of it's likely success, act as a guarantor for Ali. That way my friends with the 3 jobs rising rents and costs of living and with the kids needing clothing and education would not be disadvantaged in anyway at all.

You did mention a bridging visa that was withdrawn. If Ali married and started a family while holding this visa then he was never guaranteed at any time permenant residence. His irresponsibility stands. He shouldn't expect my friends to pay for that irresponsibility at all.

Like the rest of us he must face up to his predicament and fund it's remedy himself.

Why is he so special that his expectations are that he should not?

Michael

From the high moral ground the scene with Ali appears mired in a morass of deceipt, inconsistancy, unnecessary complication and downright unreasonableness, especially in regards to the expected ongoing huge legal costs. To save struggling Australian families an inordinate expense it would be best foe Ali to go back overseas and apply for a visa, through normal and less expensive avenues.

For my high moral ground that would be both a responsible and a reasonable outcome.

Mate he's arrived here's by boat without a visa and probably without identification, either reunited with his wife and previous children and conceived another, or married a woman with children, in uncertain circumstances, had his application for refugee status refused, gone to court grizzling, had an order for it to be reassessed, been awarded another visa with limited tenure and expects struggling Australian families to pay for it all. You wouldn't have incouraged him at all would you? I reckon there would be huge ongoing income for you firm in Ali's (not his real name)case.

You wrote this article castigating the way we do things because it hasn't suited Ali.

Next time you see or talk to him think of Australian struggling families. They are paying for it.

So here I was trawling through the internet reading news related to asylum seekers and I stumbled across this. Truth be told, I am an Australian Citizen in a relationship with an asylum seeker. The thought of being torn apart from this man who has made such a huge impact on my life and the lives of my children because of bureaucratic red tape sickens me.It continues to astound me the opinion people have of those who seek asylum. It continues to disgust me that some are of the view that people who have already been traumatised severely and come to our country for aid, are treated as though they are less worthy of a safe and happy life, less worthy of compassion and less worthy of dignity and respect. We have a very real and longstanding relationship. He contributes as much as he can to our family, however he, like Ali also has been affected by the changes in law and whilst he previously had working rights, he can no longer work without risk of being sent back to detention. So instead we struggle financially, with me bearing the brunt of most of our financial obligations without complaint. Why? Because we love each other and are committed to each other. Let me get something straight. The asylum seekers I have met, my partner included to NOT want to be reliant on any form of welfare.they are hardworking and genuinely want to find a job and contribute to society. My partner currently volunteers. He does not sit idolly waiting for his case to be heard, he works for free to give back to the community. He has come from a tragic situation through no fault of his own and is currently making the most of a life of uncertainty whereby he does not know what is ahead for him or us at any given moment. or a wife nor should he have to.

 If we could apply for and receive a partner visa (for which we validly meet all criteria) then we would.. but there are two reasons we have not yet attempted it. One is the law currently prevents it (as explained in the article) and two, because he genuinely needs protection and believes he will receive it and does not want anyone ever questioning his motives for being with me. He cannot just put his life on hold and never experience having a family or a wife nor should he have to. Basic human rights come in to question here. So in response to this article, from someone affected by it... After exhausting all avenues of protection, if someone meets the criteria including security checks and health checks to obtain a partner visa and is in a genuine relationship, is willing to forgo any financial assistance with the exception of Medicare, has a partner who is willing to sponsor them, commonsense shows there is no logical reason that they should not be eligible. In Ali's case he has a child on the way. Refusing to allow Ali to stay will not only be detrimental to the mental health of Ali and his partner but also the child. Adding to this, the mother will be entitled to claim centrelink benefits for the child, which will in turn generate more costs to the Australian Government. I am not saying that there are not people who try to rought the system... There will always be someone, somewhere who trys to make false claims, be it asylum seekers or in our own country for centrelink payments but that doesn't mean that genuine people with genuine claims should be disregarded and that is also why it is such a lengthy and financially burdening process.

The government and the community as a whole should be working together to find a solution. They wanted the boats stopped? Its happened for the moment. The financial burden is too great? Then stop spending $500k per year to keep one person on Manus and find an alternative solution. People are angry about handouts? Then let those who can, work and install a program for asylum seekers like HECS debts whereby once they are earning a certain amount per annum they can pay back a portion of the assistance they received upon arrival. They dont want hand outs... They want a hand to hold to help them get on their feet and have a life again.

Dear Natalie,

I feel distressed to hear your story. It's just so cruel.

For the last days I was tossing some practical advice for you, typing and erasing, typing and erasing, but eventually I consider none of this advice good enough to publish.

Feeling helpless as you are, all I can do now is pray for you and your beloved partner.

May God speed your journey.