News
Online petition to highlight COVID-19 concerns launched by Killarney man
PETITION: David Harte from Aghadoe working on his online petition at his Australian home.
By Sean Moriarty
An online petition seeking help for the Irish in Australia has been launched by an Aghadoe man this week.
David Harte, who now lives in Perth, is concerned that Irish people are being overlooked by both the Irish and Australian governments in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.
Many were unable to get home before governments started shutting borders and many more have lost their jobs.
Others have tried, unsuccessfully, to get a flight or have paid over the top prices only to find flights cancelled once they arrive at the airport.
Many are in Australia on one or two-year working holiday visas and not entitled to social welfare or other assistance there.
Such visa holders are only allowed access to Australia’s Accident and Emergency services but cannot get government-supported medical services (Medicare) or welfare payments.
Others, like David, are on what are known as bridging visas after he married his Australian wife two years ago.
“I am lucky, I have family support here but others are not in the same position,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.
“I work in construction and so far that is not shut down, but if it does I will have to rely on my wife’s income.”
Harte’s campaign has attracted the attention of Cllr Niall Kelleher, Mayor of Kerry, who has family living in Sydney, and MEP Sean Kelly.
“I am asking the Irish government not to forget us,” he said. “There are Irish associations, like the Claddagh Association in Perth, who can help and I hope the Irish government can release funds to these associations. It is going to get very serious, one estate agency in Sydney has already told all non-Australians who are renting property to get out as they won’t be able to pay the rent. I am aware of one Irish man who is diabetic and he cannot afford his medication as he is not working.”
He will send his online petition www.change.org: Irish Government Help The Irish In Australia – which has already been signed by 4,000 people - to the Irish government to highlight their plight.