Miner is BANNED from leaving Australia to fly to the UK for the birth of his first child after government claims his evidence documents are 'blurry'
- Paul Walker, 33, from Rockingham, WA, planned to fly to the UK on Sunday
- He wanted to be their for his partner, Anna Smith, for the birth of their child
- But Mr Walker claims the government has refused to let him leave Australia
- They told Mr Walker his evidence documents were 'blurry' and not sufficient
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A miner has been banned from leaving Australia to be with his girlfriend in the UK for the birth of their first child because the government claims the evidence documents he sent them are 'blurry.'
Paul Walker, 33, from Rockingham in Perth, WA has lived in Australia for eight years and planned to return to the UK on Sunday to be with his girlfriend, Anna Smith.
But Mr Walker became a permanent resident two years ago and under coronavirus travel restrictions, he is unable to leave the country without special permission from the government.
He claims to have sent the Department of Home Affairs several documents over the past few weeks to apply for an exemption, but the department said they were hard to read and didn't provide 'sufficient information or evidence,' 9News reported.
Paul Walker (left), 33, from Rockingham in Perth, WA has lived in Australia for eight years and planned to return to the UK on Sunday to be with his girlfriend, Anna Smith (right)
Mr Walker said he also sent the department a letter from the hospital in England, which included proof of his relationship with Ms Smith and an ultrasound picture of his baby.
Even though Mr Walker provided all this information, he said the department has asked him for more details eight times about his situation.
If Mr Walker doesn't arrive in the UK in time to spend 14 days in self-isolation, he won't be present for Ms Smith's caesarean on June 9.
'I just want to leave, I just want to go home,' Mr Walker said.
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Mr Walker said he was frustrated knowing other people have been approved for exemptions to leave Australia within hours for reasons such as a funeral.
'I'm not one of these people who usually kick off on things like this, but where are our human rights?' Mr Walker said.
Ms Smith said she is worried about her partner not being present during the birth and if he doesn't arrive on Sunday, she has no idea when he will be able to see his son.
She already has two children to take care of and she relied on Mr Walker to look after them while she was in the hospital.
Ms Smith claims there is no one else available to help her.
'I'm going to be by myself having his baby and I'm worried sick as I've got two other children as well that need looking after when the baby's here,' Ms Smith said.
The Department of Home Affairs has been contacted for comment.
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