MP’s appeal to Premier to help Tassie family stranded overseas

The Premier has been asked to “stamp his feet” by an independent MP, who says he must do what it takes to get action to help a local family stranded by border closures.

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AN INDEPENDENT MP has asked Premier Peter Gutwein to “stamp his feet” in national cabinet to help a stranded Tasmanian family return home from overseas.

Brett Riseley travelled to the Philippines on March 11 with his wife Imelda and their three-year-old son Tasman to visit Imelda’s family.

They had planned to stay for a few weeks but due to COVID-19 restrictions they remain stuck in Aparri, almost 600km from Manila.

Hobart man Brett Riseley with wife Imelda and three-year-old son Tasman. They are stuck in the Philippines and unable to return to Tasmania because of coronavirus restrictions.

The travellers had booked flights back to Tasmania in early June and early July but both were cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

In state parliament this morning, member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie appealed to Mr Gutwein to help the family.

“It think we need to do more,” she said.

“The Risleys have been through the ringer ... but what I’m worried about is that there’s a there-year-old child involved,” she told the Premier.

“What I would like to see from you is to see there’s a commitment that they will not be charged for quarantine on compassionate grounds.

“And secondly, please will you go to national cabinet and stamp your feet and demand the return of desperate Australian citizens.

“These are good Tasmanian people who are stuck.”

Independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie during parliament. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Gutwein said a repatriation flight next month was being supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“We will do what we can that is reasonable and that fits within the national framework that assist Tasmanians to get home if we can help them get here,” he said.

“I don’t want to be trite about this … it is a difficult set of circumstances.”

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