Grandad stranded after Home Affairs denies him entry

An 86-year-old grandfather was denied entry to Australia after he obtained a visa and sold his house in Britain to move to Sydney to be with his daughter and grandson.

‘We’re seeking compassion’: Ron War and his daughter, Claire.

The federal government has ­denied an 86-year-old grandfather entry to Australia after he obtained a visa and sold his house in Britain to move to Sydney to be with his daughter and grandson in the final years of his life.

The shock decision was revealed to the family on Wednesday night, leaving Ronald Ward stranded in a London hotel with nothing but a suitcase.

Mr Ward’s Australian daughter Claire, speaking from her Sydney home on Sunday, said she was left distraught by the decision: “I’m beside myself with worry.”

Mr Ward, a British citizen, was granted a bridging visa in May while his Aged Parent visa was processed. He subsequently sold his house and car and had been due to board a flight from London to Sydney on Sunday afternoon.

His doctor believes he is now at risk of a stroke if the matter is left unresolved for a prolonged time, as he is experiencing significant anxiety and depression because of the ongoing saga.

Mr Ward had applied for an exemption to travel to Australia, as required under COVID-19 restrictions, but was denied by government bureaucrats four days before his flight was to take off, despite having the bridging visa.

‘I’ve felt a sense of hopelessness’: Claire Ward and her son James. Picture: Jane Dempster

”Your circumstances have been assessed against the Australian COVID-19 travel restrictions … On the basis of the information provided, the Delegate has concluded that your circumstances do not outweigh the risk to the Australian community,” the email reads.

On 20 March, the Australian border was closed to non-citizens and non-residents, with limited exemptions only for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Ms Ward cancelled her father’s flight to Sydney but is pleading with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to show compassion and let Mr Ward to travel to his new home.

“I have felt a sense of hopelessness — my father is displaced and extremely anxious about where his future lies,” she said. “He was really looking forward to spending the next couple of years of his life with his family, who is ­really supportive and will look after him, to suddenly being on his own with none of his possessions.”

Mr Ward’s general practitioner, Sean Brink, has indicated he has serious concerns of his welfare because he is an insulin-­dependent diabetic, and is experi­encing anxiety and depression and a sense of hopelessness because of the ordeal.

“I believe any prolonged period of undetermined time with no resolution may lead to significant medical events, including stroke,” a letter from Mr Ward’s doctor read.

Dr Brink said believed if Mr Ward was allowed to travel to Australia as planned, he would recover and sustain good health.

“The fact that it said ‘Do not reply to this email’ was so impersonal and unconscionable,” Ms Ward told The Australian on Saturday. “We’re just asking for a bit of compassion,” she said.

Ms Ward intends to file another travel exemption request on compassionate grounds to include Mr Ward’s health conditions.

The Department of Home ­Affairs on Sunday said it did not comment on individual cases.