The ZIMBABWE Situation | Our
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PAT Mansill was quick to wipe
the moisture from her eyes, saying she didn't want her beloved grandchildren to
know she was upset. "I told the kids this was a happy time. If I've got
to go, I've got to go," the 69-year-old said while choking back tears.
"I just don't want them to be upset."
The tears came as Mrs Mansill waited at Brisbane
Airport yesterday for her flight to Sydney and then eventually on to London
after being denied permanent residency in Australia.
The Department of Immigration decreed Mrs Mansill no
longer satisfied the medical requirements for permanent residency after being
diagnosed and treated for stomach cancer in London last year.
By leaving the country Mrs Mansill essentially
becomes a "gypsy", but the selfless decision means her daughter Laura,
son-in-law John Watson and their three young children – who all migrated with
her from Zimbabwe in 2002 – are able to stay in Australia.
"I'm really pleased that they've got their residency,
that is the main thing for me," Mrs Mansill said.
"It has come at a huge price, but maybe things will
change."
Mrs Mansill spent Sunday with her family in
Goondiwindi.
Although her forced departure has devastated Mrs
Mansill and her family, she was yesterday resigned to the decision and thanked
all those who had supported her and her family.
"To be quite honest coming from Zimbabwe I don't
think there is much advantage in getting mad at a government, even this one. I
thought they would be more sympathetic but that's probably stupid."
Mrs Mansill will have a check-up with her oncologist
in London and will then visit her other two daughters.
In a written response to yesterday's Courier-Mail
story, Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said Mrs Mansill "has not left
Australia as a result of bureaucratic bungling or unfairness by the Department
of Immigration".
"All applicants for permanent visas are required to
undertake health checks," Senator Vanstone said.
"This is a longstanding and understandable part of
migration legislation. The family elected to remove Mrs Mansill from their
permanent visa application to enable them to gain permanent residence."
Senator Vanstone said Mrs Mansill is still eligible
to apply for long-stay visitor visas allowing her to stay in Australia for up to
12 months at a time.