Medical problem makes life tough for Kiwis in Australia

Amy and Phil Garner, with Ella and Ryan, have lived in Australia for almost nine years.

Amy and Phil Garner have lived in Canberra for almost nine years.

They moved from Palmerston North after Mrs Garner was unable to find work as a social worker. and their children Ella, 6, and Ryan, 4, were born there.

Mrs Garner said the family loved Australia and considered it home but times had been tougher lately. She has had to give up part-time work to care for Ryan, who was diagnosed with autism in August last year.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which the Garners pay for through an increased Medicare levy, initially approved support for Ryan, which would help pay for early intervention groups, speech therapy and other services. But when it was noticed that his parents were New Zealand citizens, that support was withdrawn.

The Garners have some support from the ACT Government, but that will end next year.

Mr Garner works six days a week as a delivery driver, and has now taken on two part-time gym jobs to support the family - meaning he sometimes rises as early as 1am, and snatches sleep between shifts.

Australian friends have organised fundraisers so Ryan can get the support he needs. Most locals were "absolutely mortified" when they learned about Kiwis' rights, but a handful asked why the family didn't return to New Zealand, Mrs Garner said.

Ella and Ryan will be able to become citizens when they turn 10, but there is no pathway to citizenship for their parents. It would be "amazing" if that were to change after recent political pressure, she said.

"We didn't come here for the dole, we came here to make a better life for ourselves. And we have done that. This is now that kind of final thing."