British grandma given 28 days to leave Australia because she was ‘burden on the health system’ dies

British grandma, 93, who was given 28 days to leave Australia or risk arrest because she was a ‘burden on the health system’ dies in a nursing home

  • Grandmother who was under threat of deportation died peacefully in care home
  • Mollie Manley, 93, was going to be deported back to Britain without family
  • She was given a reprieve after her story was widely circulated by the news media
  • According to media reports, Mrs Manley passed away earlier this week 

 A British great-grandmother who was ordered to Australia or risk arrest because she was a burden on the health system has died.  

Mollie Manley, 93, relocated to Australia from Britain 11 years ago to be closer to her family, including her nine great-grandchildren. 

But she had her visa application formerly rejected on health grounds and given 28 days notice to move back to Britain where she has no living relatives or friends. 

Mrs Manley, who is blind and bedridden, lived in a care home in Perth and her distraught family warned she would die on the plane if she was made to leave. 

Following widespread public outcry Mrs Manley’s son-in-law Rob Rowe received a call from the Department of Home Affairs last week with the assurance she wouldn’t be deported.

The last minute reprieve meant Mrs Manley was able to die in Australia surrounded by her loving family. 

British grandma Mollie Manley (pictured) has died peacefully in a nursing a week after being given a reprieve

The Age reported that she passed away earlier this week.

Ms Manley had first entered the country on a temporary bridging visa while her application for an aged-parent visa was processing. 

However she failed to obtain a permanent residency visa after going blind and being moved into a care facility.  

She was cared for by her family before she was placed in the aged care home two years ago. 

Mrs Manley had suffered a stroke earlier in the year and the family surrounded her bedside thinking the worst, she pulled through and was able to hold on for a few months longer. 

There are no reports on Mrs Manley’s cause of death or any official statement from her family as yet. 

Mrs Manley, 93, (far left) relocated to Australia from Britain 11 years ago to be closer to her family including her great-grandchildren

Mrs Manley, 93, (far left) relocated to Australia from Britain 11 years ago to be closer to her family including her great-grandchildren

Mrs Manley had first entered the country on a temporary bridging visa while her application for an aged-parent visa was processing

Mrs Manley had first entered the country on a temporary bridging visa while her application for an aged-parent visa was processing

Before the visa cancellation was reversed Mr Rowe described the department’s actions as similar to a ‘right-wing dictatorship’. 

Mrs Manley was informed on May 12 that her application for an aged parent visa was rejected because she does not fit the criteria due to her poor health.

The health criteria state that an applicant must be free from disease and must be free of any condition which would cost the health sector more than $40,000 (£22,000) in total.

Ms Manley’s full-time care would cost about $145,000 (£80,000) for the next three years.

The Department of Home Affairs insisted that they had not buckled under media pressure surrounding the case.

But Mr Rowe said he took these claims ‘with a pinch of salt’.

After reports on the family's situation were widely circulated Mrs Manley's son-in-law, Rob Rowe, received a call from the Department of Home Affairs with the assurance she wouldn't be deported

After reports on the family’s situation were widely circulated Mrs Manley’s son-in-law, Rob Rowe, received a call from the Department of Home Affairs with the assurance she wouldn’t be deported

 

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