Is the law an ass?
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Charles Dickens must have felt there was some truth to the thought, as the character of Mr Bumble expresses this sentiment in Oliver Twist.
I have been trying to find a way to seek restitution from the Government for the financial, emotional and physical costs incurred during our journey. It seems that should I be careless or negligent and have a car accident, I am liable and held accountable for any damage caused, but should a government department be careless or negligent and nearly destroy people’s lives, that is just bad luck. I find this not only incomprehensible but morally reprehensible. If a person is wrongfully imprisoned, that person is entitled to compensation. If a person is injured at work, the employer may be liable if the workplace is found to be unsafe. I must have insurance in case someone trips on my steps and breaks a leg, for goodness sake.
Another Partner Visa disaster
I came across this Partner Visa case on one of the migration forums I joined some time ago when we were fighting our battle.
While I do not agree with lifting a complete article from another site, this particular site is currently experiencing higher than usual down-time so I am making an exception in the public interest. This is yet another case where we are failing the couple involved and, again, failing a citizen of Australia.
Please note I am not endorsing the services of the Australian Visa Bureau or Craddock Murray Newman: I do not have personal experience of their work.
That letter still hurts
Some time ago (see related articles, below) I wrote how an official letter had angered and hurt me and I also questioned the meaning of the oath sworn by Ministers. While I am not going to publish the whole stream of correspondence, I am publishing a few extracts here.
Months before this particular exchange of correspondence I had written to the Minister requesting a meeting. A staff member had responded on his behalf, stating the Minister did not have time to meet me. Why not, I wondered? I still wonder. If one’s job is to serve the people, one should be able to meet with people directly impacted by one’s position when necessary. Certainly I agree the Minister could not meet with every person impacted by the department – that would be impossible. Let us not forget taxpayers pay to staff departments, one would hope reasonably appropriately: there is such a thing as delegation. Even if the Minister is too busy personally, the responsibility can and should be delegated when suitable. It is not as if I or my case were unknown to the department.
Love and The Law
Lady Justice
“the Law is inflexible by nature”. This was a phrase used in an email to me today. I am quoting it out of context deliberately – the writer of the email was quite correct in his advice, I don’t want anyone to think otherwise! Why am I quoting out of context, you ask? Simply because this phrase crystallised for me an article which has been rumbling around in my mind undefined. I mentioned the concept in passing in Migrant review timelines under pressure: today I take a closer look.
Many Love versus Goliath readers are happily married or in a relationship, a fact that makes me happy! I like people to find happiness.
Law, Immigration Law to be precise, is something that keeps couples apart or allows them to be together. Yet in the case of immigration, the application of the law is very often purely subjective. Not in all cases: clearly, if an applicant fails to provide police clearances, there is nothing subjective about that. Read more 
Love knows no borders
Love is, it is said, a universal language. I remember reading once about a couple who fell in love and got married, yet neither spoke the language of the other. If I recall correctly, he spoke English, she spoke Japanese and they communicated in French.
I find it interesting that our love story has an audience around the world. Read more
Humanising immigration
Today was a milestone of sorts – our battle rolled past 5,000 hits. One of our readers, MomFog, noted in a comment yesterday I am humanising the question of immigration. I hope I am, for that is the purpose of this record. We are not numbered files, we are people, families. Edit: TWO milestones – formal MRT decision arrived at our lawyer’s office today!
Maybe “ladies only”!
I have debated with myself whether or not to discuss this particular issue publicly. I warn you before reading further it is rather personal and medical in nature, so if you are the squeamish sort, this might be something for you to skip!
