Critically Ill Woman's Dying Wish to Reunite with Brother Denied Amid Visa Dispute

A critically ill Australian woman's dying wish to reunite with her brother has been denied by the government due to a visa dispute. The 57-year-old woman, who lives with a debilitating condition that feels like "acid is being poured into [her] bones 24/7", had applied for her brother to come to Australia on a sponsored visa.

Anna Rochford has avascular necrosis, a condition that is causing her bones to die, leaving her unable to walk for 10 years. At 36 kilograms, her disease is so severe her doctor says her lifespan has been greatly shortened.

"It is so painful … I don't wish this on anyone. The doctors have never seen anything like it," she said.

Her dying wish is to see her brother Clinton Barrett one last time. The siblings were sent to separate orphanages as young children in India after their mother died, only reconnecting when Ms Rochford was a teenager and discovering they were two of five siblings.

"All three have died, so it's only him and me … he is the only family I've ever known," she said.

Ms Rochford would previously visit her brother in India every year but is now too unwell to travel — instead applying for him to come to Australia on a sponsored visa. However, the Australian government has repeatedly denied the applications.

"They keep saying no, they're satisfied he's going to do a runner and they're not allowing him to come," Ms Rochford said.

Desperate, Ms Rochford and her husband intend to pay for all her brother's travel expenses, and have offered a security bond, as well as medical certification. In a letter, Ms Rochford's doctor said she had "suffered immeasurable distress as a result of her condition" with a poor prognosis and "significantly" reduced life expectancy.

The doctor wrote it was his medical opinion that she would never be fit to travel again, and "compassion and common sense would dictate that her relatives be allowed to visit Australia" to see her.

After three refusals in a year, Ms Rochford said she was starting to give up hope.

"It's just scary because I'd like him to come while I can at least talk to him a little bit before it gets worse. What's the point then?" she said.

"Once my bones die completely … I'm just flesh, and all they can do is manage the pain."

Through tears, husband Paul Rochford said he had watched his wife's deterioration.

"I don't want to say it because I don't want her to die, but she's on the slide," he said.

"There's no cure … she's been through every drug imaginable — it only knocks about five to ten per cent of her pain off."

He said having her brother visit would mean "more than you can possibly imagine".

"She doesn't have too much to look forward to, she lives in that chair," he said.

In decision statements, the Department of Home Affairs said the applicant had not provided enough detail on personal finances. The department stated that while sponsor support from the Rochfords had been considered, it was "not in itself sufficient evidence that a genuine temporary stay is intended by the applicant".

In a statement, a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said it could not comment on individual cases, but that all applicants "must genuinely intend to visit Australia temporarily; have, or have access to, adequate means to support themselves for the duration of their visit; and intend to comply with all visa conditions and stay periods".

For the Rochfords, it's another devastating blow.

"It's like putting a knife in her every time they say no," Mr Rochford said.

"I can't help with the disease, and I can't help with immigration. So, I feel a little bit useless."

"All I can do is be there and love her, which I do."