Ang Kalatas Volume V June 2015 Independence Day Special Edition | Page 12

In the news...
MESSAGE
FROM THE PREMIER

All out for her son
I am delighted to send my best wishes to
readers of Ang Kalatas on the occasion of
the 117th anniversary of the Declaration
of Independence from Spain.
With more than 70,000 people from
the Philippines now calling NSW home,
the Filipino community openly shares
its customs and traditions to make
positive contributions to the melting
pot of cultures that makes NSW such an
interesting and dynamic place to live.
NSW is one of the most culturally diverse
states in the world. I am proud of our
diversity and welcome a peaceful and
harmonious multicultural society.
On behalf of the NSW Government, I wish
all readers of Ang Kalatas celebrating
this special occasion a memorable and
enjoyable experience.
ppy
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Happy Independence Day!

MIKE BAIRD MP
Premier

A Filipina’s wish granted
A

hardworking Filipina mother’s plea in behalf of her autistic son to
be allowed to remain in Australia has finally been heard. Thanks to
community action, nurse Maria Sevilla and son Tyrone can stay in
Down Under.

AN autistic Filipino boy whose fight
him, why does he have to leave?” the
against deportation from Australia
child, who went to after school care
ustralia generally
prompted tens of thousands to
with Tyrone, asked.
petition the government on his
More than 120,000 people
requires applicants
behalf will be allowed to stay,
subsequently signed a petition
seeking a visa to meet
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton
addressed to Dutton to keep Tyrone
certain health criteria
said Monday.
and his mother, a registered nurse at
Tyrone Sevilla arrived in
Townsville Hospital, in Australia.
designed to protect the
Australia as a two-year-old with his
The Queensland Nurses’ Union,
community’s standard of
nurse mother Maria Sevilla.
which helped campaign on their
public health and safety,
But after eight years in the
behalf, said the pair were yet to be
health expenditure and
country, the pair were denied
officially notified of the decision but
continuing visas due to the
were thrilled with the news.
access to services.
probable cost of providing for
“A formal and final sign-off from
Tyrone’s care, with Maria Sevilla
Minister Dutton’s office in coming
saying they had been labelled a “burden” to taxpayers.
weeks will bring to an end many months of uncertainty
Dutton said he had overturned the decision.
and stress,” union secretary Beth Mohle said.
“I looked at the case and I have determined we will
“We all appreciate the minister’s compassion on this
provide these people with a permanent arrangement and
issue and look forward to celebrating the final approval of
permanent outcome in Australia and I think that’s good
Maria and Tyrone’s permanent visas.”
for them,” he said.
Australia takes a hard line against asylum-seekers
“I’m very pleased we can provide the assistance to
arriving by boat, refusing them resettlement in the
a young boy who is in need of medical and educational
country even if found to be refugees and sending them
support and as a generous country that’s what we do.”
instead to Pacific states.
The case made headlines after one of Tyrone’s young
Australia generally requires applicants seeking a visa
friends raised a question about the case on a live national
to meet certain health criteria designed to protect the
television programme.
community’s standard of public health and safety, hea lth
“If he can get along with us and we can get along with expenditure and access to services.

A

Kami po ay nakikiisa sa pagdiriwang
ng ika-117 Anibersaryo ng Kalayaan. Mabuhay!

12

JUNE 2015

www.kalatas.com.au