Struggle: Newtown’s Rebecca Taylor with five-year-old son Willow and her UK partner, Jay Benger. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 75593
ERIN PEARSON
A NEWTOWN resident feared deportation after an immigration department error during a long-running fight to remain with her Geelong-based same sex partner.
The couple said they had been unfairly treated by the immigration department as they fought for residency status.
They said the unfair treatment stemmed from members in the Department who were “unsure” of how to handle their case.
Rebecca Taylor and her English partner Jay Benger said there was a lack of visa options available for same-sex couples.
“Jay came out here on a tourist visa initially and we knew from the outset the next step would be to apply for a de facto visa,” Ms Taylor said.
“But when we began making enquiries it became very obvious very quickly that the immigration department didn’t know how to deal with us.
“Because we can’t get married in this country we had no other option but to apply for a de facto visa which is around $2000 more expensive than a fiancé visa.
“If the federal government isn’t prepared to make a change so we can get married they have to make sure we have fair and equitable opportunities.”
Ms Taylor said the deportation fears arose when her partner applied for an extension to a tourist visa while finalising a de facto application in December.
The pair received an email last week stating Ms Benger’s request had been denied and therefore would have to return to the UK.
But a subsequent visit to the Melbourne immigration office found the email was incorrect.
“If any other couple had to go through the challenges we’ve been through I don’t think their relationship would last,” Ms Taylor said.
The immigration department said they introduced same-sex policy into Commonwealth law from July 1, 2009.
The changes included the recognition of same-sex couples for migration and citizenship purposes to ensure same-sex de facto partners had the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual partners.
Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman said he would meet with the couple to discuss the case further.
“I am more than happy to meet with Rebecca and Jay and advocate on their behalf if there’s any level of discrimination within the rules and regulations,” he said.
