Petitions to Parliament say the border closure has separated families and caused mental distress to those here on temporary visas or stuck overseas waiting for entry.
In March last year, the Government announced the border would close to anyone who was not a citizen or resident prompting petitions from people who want changes and exemptions to the border restrictions to allow their family members into the country.
These petitions were considered by Parliament’s Petitions Select Committee - a group of MPs from different parties who can group similar requests together and hear more details from submitters and officials.
The Committee then writes a report for the other MPs and this report can be debated in the House. Highlights from the debate can be heard in the audio below.
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
