Kiwis stuck in Australia are having their Super cut off
A reader writes in:
The Bill of Rights says I am entitled to come home to my country. It is now 6 months since I left to visit family in Perth and how can it be reasonable to keep me out?
We had a bubble with Australia. A few days before I left for Perth on 17 July 2020, the DG publicly stated that they would continue to review border decisions with Australia state by state.
Yes – another “truth” from the podium.”
On 22 December 2021 Perth had its first community case, yet in those 5 months of no cases it made no difference to the NZ Government’s decision to allow it’s citizens to return from their holiday. I had much more at risk in returning to NZ than any NZ citizen had from me. Even now there are very few cases here.
Interestingly, my family all tell me now “they have put in place exceptions which you can apply for to get home” – but it’s smoke and mirrors. People in my situation do not qualify, only goes who flew here after NZ’s December decision to close again , or those who sold a house etc in Australia based on that decision. Those of us with homes and businesses who came here 6 months ago are out of luck.
Then to top things off, this week the Government stopped my superannuation.
Talk about ‘kind” they know from Custom’s records I flew to Australia. MSD do not operate with modern communication methods so no doubt there a snail mail letter on its way to my address – knowing fully well I am not there to get it – telling me they have stopped payment. Bureaucracy at its best
When I go to the ‘senior section” of the MSD website, there is a phone number to make contact. But I want this in writing (and my husband in his 80’s avoids phones due to hearing problems which many seniors suffer from). I eventually found a MSD ‘Complaints’ section and my complaint IS BELOW – using every single letter count available to me. Apparently I WILL receive a response within 5 working days.
They say they will ring me but I have no expectation and anyway I asked for an email reply. I now use an Oz phone to keep costs down and I am yet to find a NZ department and will use wifi comms to access me on my NZ Phone number
I’ve looked at a Dunkirk type evacuation but can’t find anyone willing to assist as they too might end up locked out. How can a DJ get in from the UK and an MP get a spot to ‘holiday’ when so many citizens who live in Australia are refugees now – and many like us have never been near a Covid hotspot.
The cost of the inner city bedsit rental we finally managed to get ( from an old friend who will allow us to give short notice to leave )plus the furniture rental is more that a week’s super. We can make no long term decisions because the Government does not do so. So much for the Bill of Rights…..
The complaint…
Tell us what happened’
You stopped paying Superannuation on 14 January 2022!
17 July 2020 I left my home & business for 4 weeks. I have not been able to return – the Government has stopped me. I have applied for MIQ on every occasion.
When the announcement came that I could leave, I booked the 1st allowable date-17 January (tomorrow). Nothing now enables me to come home as that flight was cancelled.
Most of my family are in NZ (Except one son and 2 grandchildren here in Perth). I have done everything in my power to return to home & importantly my business which I am managing from here. Sadly 85% of my international customers are also unable to visit so my life’s investment is at risk.
Now you stop my superannuation.
I have double costs – NZ & Perth. There have been unavoidable health care costs & my son has no room in his small house.
I have paid taxes all my life and am entitled to superannuation. The Govt stops me from returning to my life & country and now stops super. How is this possible?
‘How can we fix this for you?’ Simple. Continue to pay the superannuation I am entitled to.