British family to be deported from New Zealand because of brain tumour

[naomi24]

Paul and Sarah Crystal and their children, aged 7, 15 and 17, moved to New Zealand more than six years ago but their application for permanent residency was turned down because the government was concerned about his inability to work and the treatment cost. Should Britain take a leaf out of New Zealand’s book and return anyone incapable of supporting themselves to their native country?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/9717233/British-family-to-be-deported-from-New-Zealand-because-of-brain-tumour.html

[daffy654]

Yes. Our welfare system and NHS are struggling as it is without the added pressure from economic and healthcare migrants.

[boxtops]

Yes, why not? As it is, some countries won't take our citizens (e.g. Canada) unless you have work to go to, already agreed. We're too soft, at our expense.

[NOX]

No, the sooner everyone gets over their me me me attitude and appreciates that we live in ONE WORLD the better. This is an outrageous thing to do and likewise I would not be in favour of deporting anyone because they had health issues- that's in effect state sanctioned murder- you'd all soon change your tune if it applied to you and one of your children.

[boxtops]

I'm not commenting on this particular family, NOX - that's a sad situation - I read naomi's comment as relating to unemployed immigrants in general.

[dotty.]

what about his wife? an't she work? the 17 year old will probably be going to uni soon, won't they then have a career? why should it be about the ability of the male to support the family?

[jake-the-peg]

No New Zealand should cop onto themselves

These people have been there for 6 years for goodness sake

[youngmafbog]

But 6 years without a permanent residency Jake, big difference.

The Kiwi's are correct in what they are doing and we should follow suit. we have a National Health service not a World Health service.

As I have said before this is exactly what the Septics are afraid of with Obama care.

NOX, we dont live in ONE WORLD and we never will so get used to it. Humans are tribal like most animals. Do you serously think the Islamic populations are going to be one world (unless it is 100% Islamic of course)

[Old_Geezer]

IMO if someone moves to another country in good faith not knowing they have imminent health problems, then it is not a humane act to sling them out simply because a health problem developed while they were there. If, on the other hand, they come to a country knowing they have issues and simply wishing the host country to pay for them, when they have not contributed sufficiently to that country's economy, then it is fair enough to ask them to return to the country they came from. The same rules ought to be voluntarily adopted everywhere.

[NOX]

Youngmafbog- Yes we are one world, we always have been and always will be- the fact that some of the ' I'm alright jack' dinosaurs don't want to see it does not make it an untruth. You and I are both very lucky to have been born somewhere where we have a right to clean water, relative freedom and decent healthcare. I'm happy for my taxes to help people who haven't been so lucky- if you're not then that's your cross to bear.

[sunny-dave]

Two excellent posts from OG and NOX - I think I sit somewhere between the two - it's a tricky balance to get right between pragmatism and humanity.

I would want to help everybody, but I'm not sure we can afford it - drawing the line is so very difficult.

[McMouse]

Not knowing all the facts it's difficult to make a firm judgement. However I can imagine the screams of outrage if our government failed to sling out someone who was dependent on benefits and likely to rack up huge NHS costs.

[T&S]

The difference is, we have signed up to the Human Rights Act, which is often used as a stick to hit us with when we attempt to do what NZ are doing in this instance.

Ultimately, if the family had taken up a Residency Visa, they wouldn't be asked to leave. They stayed on a working visa and if he can't work....

[starone]

The people I bought this bungalow from have emigrated to Australia. Apparently, or so the estate agent told me, they had to pay around £40000 each to guarantee they would not be a drain on the country's finances and they have gone to a place prepared for them by their two sons who had previously emigrated to Australia. I believe also their sons have taken on board any illnesses that might occur. The wife was already in a wheelchair to travel, so they have taken on a big burden. Nothing like that here. Makes me wonder which is the best way, especially when I see what are obviously foreign people, begging. (Can't speak English, just enough to ask for money).

[ummmm]

£40,000 each. I think that is wrong.

[McMouse]

Before my son was granted US citizenship he had to prove he was in good health and could support his family. Not an unreasonable request in my view.

[ummmm]

When my daughter went to Oz she had to have 3k in the bank and she's on a working visa. When my friend emigrated they, as a couple, had to have 7k.

Goodness know where 40k each comes from.

[magsmay]

@ummmm the folks going to Australia are more than likely retired. They will not be 'paying' £40,000 to anyone -they have to have this amount in savings or pension fund as they would not be eligible for State pension in Australia (though they can still receive their UK pension if they have enough contributions. Its the same in Canada -when we emigrated to Canada we were only allowed fast track residency (6 months from application to visa) because we were investing a considerable amount of money in a business and still had to prove we had sufficient liquid funds to keep us going until the business started to provide income - 12 years ago it was around $20,000 Canadian

[ummmm]

I know they won't be 'paying' but how many couples have 80k in the bank?

[magsmay]

Ummm -if they are retired and are leaving the country to be with their Son then presumably they would have sold their house - I am of course presuming they own a house. Trying to stick to the OP I think that until you live in a country where the possibility of not being able to afford healthcare for a loved one, and the possibility that because of this they may die, its hard to appreciate the NHS -warts and all.

[emmie]

does seem rather unfair, then again their country, their rules, shame we don't do the same here. And i know that you have to have a decent amount of cash, jobs to go to before settling in NZ, as friends who told me before leaving.