After an 18-month ordeal stranded in Phuket - with a premature newborn after an unexpected medical emergency led to immigration roadblocks back home to Australia - a young couple has returned to Australia with their baby Maali.
Scared, stranded, broke and their case seemingly invisible to Thai and Australian immigration authorities for near on 18 months, Wanaruah man Glen Parkes was bewildered at ongoing refusals by Home Affairs and other authorities aware of the family's plight to return home to New South Wales.
His defacto partner Josephine White, a UK citizen, was forced to have an early emergency caesarean in Bangkok, disrupting the couple's last holiday before their impending return to Australia.
Glen and Josephine intended to be back home in NSW for Maali's birth, before complications well before her due date demanded the emergency procedure.
Birth records from local doctors and the hospital to which Josephine and Maali were admitted were not enough for Home Affairs to officially deem the couple de facto - so Maali's visa application to enter Australia as a 'citizen by descent' by her Aboriginal father - was continually denied.
After the lengthy and bewildering predicament, Glen was bursting with relief and joy once his bundle of joy Maali and love Jo were on home soil, safe and sound.
The Department of Immigration had consistently told National Indigenous Times they could not comment on individual cases.
Legislative research and ministerial engagement became constants in their lives over the course of 12 months following Maali's birth, a long tunnel which seemingly led nowhere, until a surprise stroke of luck for the Parkes family.
After more than a year of being denied entry to Australia - and living literally with just a few dollars to their name and shoddy roof over their newborn - the family found a way around the loopholes that left them stranded in Thailand, and finally returned home on November 7.
"We are so excited and still sort of in shock," Glen told National Indigenous Times.
The couple expressed their gratitude to Glen's parents, whose emotional support for them while they were stranded extended to their assistance financially to cover the hefty costs of passports for all three to legally enter Australia.
Glen and Josephine were also full of praise for federal Immigration Minister Tony Burke and his office, who - once aware of their dire situation - expedited their applications so they could leave Thailand together for home.
"Anyone who thinks people are just filling out a form and coming into our country are gravely mistaken," Glen said.
"I compliment the Australian immigration system for keeping our borders safe and Mr Burke for his daily efforts for our country."
He also thanked National Indigenous Times for assistance in communicating the family's complex situation with Federal authorities, which preceded the family's safe and legal return to NSW.
The couple are now thankful to be home after such a long ordeal, and have spent the past week introducing young Maali to Glen's family and friends in NSW.
"The past week has been so special, surreal; we just can't believe we are back home with Maali, who is doing great, and surrounded by our family and friends again," Glen said.
Intent on escaping the noise and stress the ordeal has had on his partner and newborn, Glen said the family desired to head bush. After such a complex, continuous struggle, care, calm and Country awaits this trio.
