Territorian stranded overseas feels abandoned after international students, NZ visitors to be let in
A TERRITORIAN stranded overseas has expressed her disappointment at international students, workers and now Kiwis being allowed into the NT, while she feels abandoned
Northern Territory
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A TERRITORIAN stranded in the UK has expressed her disappointment that international students, workers and now residents from New Zealand are being allowed into the Territory, while she feels she has been abandoned.
Jenny Palmer, who is from the UK but has lived in Darwin for eight years and is an Australian citizen, travelled to England in May to visit her mother who was dying of cancer. She spent several weeks with her mother before she died, but has not been able to return home.
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Ms Palmer said that after being stuck for five months she was disappointed to see the news that international students from Singapore were being flown into Darwin, while feels she has not had any help from the Australian government to get home.
“Other countries have sent out planes to pick up their stranded citizens,” she said.
“It seems the NT can’t be bothered to help us back and only wants to focus on helping themselves to look good to other countries.
“It is a real mental struggle when you keep seeing your government help anyone but its own residents.”
However, while Ms Palmer said the announcement that New Zealanders would soon be allowed to travel into Darwin was “another disappointment”, it could provide hope for other stranded Territorians.
“On a positive note, it’s a possible route to get home, depending on their transit rules,” she said.
“But, how much does it cost to go via NZ?”
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A spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner said international arrivals to Australia were a “federal government responsibility”.
“We are working with them to make sure Territorians can get home safely and as soon as possible,” he said.
“Given there is no commercial airline in the world currently seeking Darwin as an international arrival port, other Australian cities with international arrivals are increasing capacity to bring more Aussies home sooner, including Territorians.”
Originally published as Territorian stranded overseas feels abandoned after international students, NZ visitors to be let in