Lifeline for Irish family facing deportation from Australia because their son has cystic fibrosis as they are given a last-minute reprieve - but their battle isn't over yet
- The Hyde family were given until June 18 to leave after being denied residency
- Their son Darragh's cystic fibrosis was deemed to burdensome on taxpayers
- Anthony and Christine Hyde moved to Australia from Dublin in 2009
- Immigration Minister David Coleman has agreed to review their case
An Irish family facing deportation from Australia because of their son's cystic fibrosis will be allowed to stay in the country while their case is reviewed.
Christine and Anthony Hyde have been fighting to stay in Australia with their three-year-old son Darragh, after they were denied permanent residency in 2016.
The family, who emigrated from Dublin in 2009, were told treatment for Darragh's condition would be too burdensome on taxpayers and they were given until June 18 to go back to Ireland.
In a last-ditch attempt, the Hydes, who have been living in Seymour, Victoria, filed an appeal with Immigration Minister David Coleman.
After weeks of uncertainty, Mr Coleman agreed to review the family's case just days before the deadline, Yahoo News reported.
'It could be a few weeks, but we will be able to stay until a decision is made,' Mrs Hyde said.
Anthony and Christine Hyde moved from Dublin in 2009 and are living in a small town of Seymour, Victoria, with their son
The family, was denied permanent residency in 2015 after their son Darragh (pictured) three, was diagnosed with the illness and his potential treatment was assessed as too burdensome on the taxpayer
The good news comes just a few days after the mum expressed concerned over uprooting their family after she planned to celebrate little Darragh's fourth birthday in his home country.
She explained she is in the process of planning the toddler's celebration but is worried the family may not be here by the time his birthday rolls around in August.
'It's not just my friend's kids that are coming to his party, it's his own friends that he's made and it's heartbreaking because you actually don't know… what if he's back in Ireland in a country where he doesn't know anybody?' she told Yahoo News.
'What do you tell a three-year-old? We can start the conversation but it's too hard to even finish. I think we're just going to sit until we get the answer', she added.
The mum said the family is struggling to cope with all the uncertainty and feels like they're living in 'limbo'.
In a last-ditch attempt, the Hydes, who have been living in Seymour, Victoria, filed an appeal with Immigration Minister David Coleman, who agreed to review the case
The couple appealed the decision and their case was heard by the Administrative Review Tribunal, where it was ruled to meet the criteria for a ministerial intervention.
'Of course, there is still a huge, huge battle ahead of us. But in terms of those barriers that we have, this is one of them and we have gotten through that first barrier, which is great', Mrs Hyde told Nine News.
The Department of Home Affairs will now decide whether the case should be put before the minister.
It also gave the current immigration minister, David Coleman, the power to intervene at anytime, Ms Hyde said.
If no decision is made by the deadline, the family has the option of applying for a bridging visa, which costs $550 per person, while they wait.
They faced being deported because their son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and treatment could cost taxpayer money
Mr Hyde is a part-time bus driver while Ms Hyde is an assistant principal at the local primary school.
They have set up a petition, which has almost 6,000 signatures and they hope to draw attention to their story and avoid being deported.
'Please sign and help us ask the Minister to let our son stay in Australia,' they said.
Meanwhile more than 30 criminals ranging from a wife murderer and sex offenders to armed robbers and drug traffickers have been allowed to stay in Australia, despite having their visas cancelled.
Over the last 10 months, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has overturned 34 decisions made by delegates for the Home Affairs and Immigration ministers involving serious offenders.
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Among those given the green light, are Kenyan-born killer Paul Jason Margach, who was jailed after he repeatedly stabbed his wife Tina in front of one of their young children at their Melbourne home in 2004.
Convicted African-born sex offender Malipo Muyobe also had his visa cancellation overruled, as did an unnamed Chinese triad organised crime gang member jailed for 13 years for trafficking a commercial quality of ecstasy and possession of ice.
Mauritian stalker Jean Marie Amoorthum, who was convicted of stalking and threatening a young female with a knife, also had his cancellation overturned.
Statistics from AAT's latest annual report show that the tribunal only affirmed 35 per cent, or 4,432, of the migration visa decisions made by ministerial delegates in 2017-18.
The latest cases are on top of 164 criminals saved from deportation by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal between 2010 and 2018.
Out of the previous cases, eight were convicted of murder, 23 were found guilty of armed robbery, 33 were drug dealers, 17 were rapists and eight were convicted of murder.
- Victoria news: Family faces deportation after son born with cystic fibrosis
- Australia news: Irish family facing deportation over son Darragh Hyde's cystic fibrosis given fresh hope
- Deadline for Darragh Hyde facing deportation over cystic fibrosis
- Irish family of Darragh Hyde facing deportation, reviewed by minister
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