Mother with autistic child born in Australia says new path to Aussie citizenship is too late for some

A New Path to Citizenship for Kiwis in Australia is relieved, but for some Kiwis it will be too late.

The announcement of a thaw in the controversial treatment of New Zealanders living in Australia came after both prime ministers met in Sydney on Friday.

Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to a new path to citizenship, but said the options wouldn’t be until Anzac Day, 2023.

But for Kiwi parents Toni-Maree Tino and her husband Rob, that day doesn’t come soon enough for their 3-year-old son Jaraiah.

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Two months ago, Jaria was diagnosed with autism. Born in Queensland, he is not considered an Australian citizen and is now barred from the specialist medical therapy he needs.

Instead, the family will have to try to find the money to pay for private treatment – at a cost of more than $1000 a month.

With eight children to feed on one income, Tino said she has to decide what to do without so her son gets the essential therapies he needs.

“I feel like a terrible parent. We have to consider whether to pay for food or electricity this week or go to a speech therapist or occupational therapist to get help with his sensory and social problems. What are we doing?”

As a former kindergarten teacher, Tino knows that early intervention can have a major impact on an autistic child. While she remains hopeful that Friday’s announcement will provide some relief for families like theirs, she must make the changes now.

The Auckland couple has lived and worked in Queensland for 12 years and five of their eight children were born in Australia.

However, under current rules, the family can only access a Medicare health card that covers doctor visits, but no specialist treatment.

Tino recently embarked on the long journey to citizenship via a return visa, but the process is long and costly. Under current rules, she can apply for one child to obtain citizenship on her application, but she worries that Jariah’s autism would mean they would be considered a burden on the economy.

All this has put enormous pressure on the family, she said.

“I’m worried about his future with now the added stress of worrying I’ll let him down because I can’t afford to pay for all of his therapies. All these children deserve support.”

Now, Tino wants the new path to be prioritized and believes good intentions can still lead to long-term success.

“I really hope they follow through on what they say.”

Albanians also indicated that New Zealanders who have lived in Australia for a year can also be given the right to vote.

The announced changes will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Treaty for Closer Economic Relations and will seriously boost trans-Tasman relations and the free movement of citizens across borders.

In addition to the new citizenship trajectory, Albanian also said Australia would apply “common sense” to: 501 deporteesparticularly those with little or no relationship to New Zealand.