WARRACKNABEAL podiatrist Wendy Cobbold believes there is now no point in applying for permanent residency.
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Medical practitioners aged 50 or older, such as Horsham doctor Mihaela Guguila, 53, will be eligible for permanent residency because of a new legal instrument which will abolish residency age restrictions for medical practitioners.
But paramedical professionals, such as Mrs Cobbold, also 53, will not.
A spokeswoman for Federal Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Tony Burke said Brendan O’Connor signed off a new legal instrument while he was Minister for Immigration, which included an age exemption for medical practitioners aged 50 or older.
The same exemption does not extend to paramedical professionals, including podiatrists.
Mrs Cobbold moved from England in January 2012 to work at Rural Northwest Health.
She said there would be no point in applying for permanent residency.
“It would be a waste of $3000, because it would be refused,” she said.
She said she would still reapply for her working visa, which would ensure she could continue her work in Australia for another two years.
Mrs Cobbold said it might be time to rethink her career options and start searching for a job back in the UK.
“Nobody’s irreplaceable, are they?” she said.
“We can’t say we didn’t try.”
Mrs Cobbold said nobody had contacted her about her eligibility for permanent residency until the Mail-Times called on Friday.
She was walking her dog when she heard the news.
“The people I treat want to know all the time what’s happening,” she said.
"I thought my services here were needed and wanted, and I’m prepared to stay."
“I thought my services here were needed and wanted, and I’m prepared to stay.”
Rural Northwest Health chief executive Catherine Morley also pledged her commitment to retaining internationally-trained experts in rural Australia.
“Rural Australia needs this expertise,” she said.
“In Rural Northwest Health’s case, internationally-trained staff are essential for us to be able to continue our services. We wouldn’t be here without them.
“We were lucky enough to get Wendy to come. We didn’t have a podiatrist before she arrived, and we don’t want to lose that.''
Ms Morley questioned why the government had drawn a distinction between medical practitioners and paramedical professionals.
“All health professionals are important,” she said.
Ms Morley said that had she known age would be an issue when she was recruiting international professionals, she would have asked Mrs Cobbold’s age during her interview.
“Legally, we’re not allowed to discriminate against people on age in our professional recruitment process,” she said.
“Wendy paid a fortune to come over here, and moved on the understanding that she would be here forever. It was a life decision.
“This ruling means I do actually have to reflect on a person’s age when I am recruiting from overseas.”
Yarriambiack Mayor Kylie Zanker said the distinction the government had drawn seemed outrageous.
“Podiatry is a medical profession and Wendy is obviously a dedicated professional who is highly regarded within our community,” she said.
“Wendy is just a wonderful person who has fitted in brilliantly in our community.”
Cr Zanker said the podiatrist’s services – and those of other paramedical professionals – were necessary in the community.
“It’s just ridiculous that such a small clause could have such a detrimental effect for someone,” she said.
“How do you justify one medical professional to another?
“Our community is up in arms about it.”
Member for Mallee John Forrest said it was a great outcome for Dr Guguila, but he had also understood allied health would be covered.
“I’m a little disappointed because Brendan O’Connor, before he changed portfolios, did say he had it covered,” he said.
“But we’ll get it over the line; I don’t take no for an answer.”