Tassie family’s travel nightmare drags on
A HOBART family’s overseas coronavirus travel nightmare is showing no sign of ending, and now their plight is set to be compounded by looming financial hardship.
Brett Riseley, wife Imelda and three-year-old son Tasman were booked on a flight to Australia from The Philippines capital, Manila, on Sunday but they have been told they will not be able to fly because of limits on quarantine numbers in Sydney.
It was the seventh time since March that their reservation has been cancelled, amid repeated attempts by the stranded travellers to secure a safe passage home.
They had travelled there before the pandemic hit to visit family, but were soon confined to hotel rooms because of the country’s lockdown measures.
Mr Riseley, an aged-care support worker, said he had withdrawn tens of thousands of dollars from his superannuation, exhausted long service leave and was about to run out of annual leave provisions — and was forking out about $1500 a fortnight for accommodation and food, on top of ongoing expenses for their Hobart property.
He said cash reserves were now fast running out — and their emotional states were suffering from being continually locked down.
“I feel like I’m on the verge of a breakdown,’’ Mr Riseley said.
“I’m worrying about when we can get home, managing our money, and with a threeyear-old boy, he doesn’t have a lot of toys and has to spend most time on the phone watching YouTube.
“It’s pretty ordinary.” The family is now booked
CAMERON WHITELEY
BRETT RISELEY
on a flight on September 3, but there are no guarantees they will be able to board — and when they can return, they face 28 days in quarantine in Australia.
The Philippines has had 119,000 confirmed cases of the virus and more than 2000 deaths, and is currently experiencing a spike in new infections that has led to strict lockdowns.
State independent member for Clark Madeleine
Ogilvie said the family’s situation was “distressing and difficult”.
“It’s all hands on deck to help this young family. I am grateful to the state government for helping and they are working on steps as we speak,’’ she said.
“My team and I are doing everything we possibly can do to help. I’ve been in touch with the government, and Mr Riseley’s employer. I have personally called the Australian
embassy in Manila today. Unfortunately, the embassy staff are working remotely so I have sent an email seeking help.”
Federal independent member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said he and his office had been trying to assist many Tasmanians stuck in The Philippines.
“However, we were not aware of Brett Riseley and his family and will alert the federal government to them (on Friday),’’ he said.
“Relevant is that I am lobbying the federal government to provide greater financial support for all Australians stuck overseas and in financial strife.”
A Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the government continued to explore options to support Australians’ access to commercial flights.
“The Australian embassy in Manila is in close contact with those Australians remaining in The Philippines, providing consular assistance as required, as well as travel information and advice through a number of social media and communication channels,’’ she said.
“We encourage all Australians seeking to return home to remain in regular contact with their airlines or travel agents to confirm their arrangements and to subscribe to Smartraveller.gov.au.”