Family continue fight to stop Hartlepool expat being deported from Australia

The daughter of a Hartlepool expat who faces being deported from Australia for being too sick has asked people to keep supporting her mum's cause.
Fran, second left, next to grandson Michael, daughter Karen Brabham, granddaughter Amy and son-in-law Neale BrabhamFran, second left, next to grandson Michael, daughter Karen Brabham, granddaughter Amy and son-in-law Neale Brabham
Fran, second left, next to grandson Michael, daughter Karen Brabham, granddaughter Amy and son-in-law Neale Brabham

A petition started by Karen Brabham in aid of mum Fran Davies, 75, has gained about 4,000 names.

But Karen wants to reach 5,000 as officials continue to examine Fran’s case.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Australia’s immigration minister is expected to make the final decision.

The Mail reported in February how Fran emigrated to Perth to be with her remaining family seven years ago following the death of her husband Brian Davies.

But officials in Oz refused her a permanent visa, saying she could be a burden to its healthcare system.

Fran, a grandmother of four, developed a blood disorder after emigrating, which can be made worse by the cold, and has arthritis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Karen, 51, said: “At the moment we are still waiting to hear the outcome of the merits review.

“The merits review is a tribunal that looks at the original reports and medical results and also any other information we can provide from doctors and others.”

Karen said she has been told the review will take about nine months and will almost certainly go to ministerial intervention stage.

She added: “When a case goes as far as ministerial intervention the only person that can change the decision is the Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have approached three politicians, who will each write a letter of support when it gets to the ministerial stage.

“I’ve also got a letter from mum’s haematologist explaining how the cold UK climate can impact on her condition.”

Fran used to run Brus Hardware shop, in Hartlepool, before emigrating to Australia in 2009.

Many friends back home have signed the petition Fight For Fran on the website change.org.

In the latest update, Karen thanked people for supporting it but said they are not out of the woods yet.

She wrote: “The stress and anxiety is taking it’s toll on my mum amd indeed all of our family.”