Torquay family prompts law change but there's... No help for Pisey

SEPARATED FROM HER FAMILY: Cambodian girl Pisey

August 25th, 2011
Geelong Advertiser (Australia)

A TORQUAY family's tragic separation from their adopted Cambodian daughter has resulted in a change to the law that will ensure others don't face the same heartache.

But in a cruel twist the change will not help Meagan and Michael Paterson or their adopted daughter Pisey.

Five-year-old Pisey has been living in a rape crisis centre in Cambodia while the Patersons have been trying desperately to secure a visa for her to come to Australia.

The family faces an 18-month wait to have Pisey's case heard by a Migration Review Tribunal.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen, after reviewing the Paterson's case has directed the immigration department to change adoption visa requirements.

Mrs Paterson said while the change in the law would not assist her family's case, she was happy other families would not face the same heartache.

"I think this change shows that the Government is listening to us and has taken on board the fact that this law which is meant to protect children is in fact keeping families apart," she said,

In a letter to the family received yesterday, the Minister said:

"Having reviewed Pisey's case, I have asked the Department to amend the adoption visa requirements so the overseas residency requirement will not disadvantage families like your's who were genuinely living as expatriates but have had to return to Australia in the midst of an adoption process."

The Paterson were living and working as expatriates in Cambodia when they began the adoption process for little Pisey over three years ago.

The couple legally adopted the little girl, working with the Australian Embassy in Cambodia and the Cambodian Government to ensure the adoption was legal and legitimate.

But, when Mrs Paterson's dad Bill Welsh was diagnosed with cancer, the couple flew back to Australia with an assurance from the Australian Embassy in Cambodia that the Australian Government could waive a requirement that the couple be living in Cambodia when they lodged an application for the visa that would allow Pisey to live in Australia with her family.

The couple now know the advice they received was incorrect and the Australian Government refused Pisey's visa in line with Australian intercountry adoption laws.