Families with members abroad are calling on Australia’s government to change rules regarding the international border where harsh restrictions are currently in place.

The current definition of “immediate family” is being challenged by a petition to federal parliament on Tuesday as Australians are seeking for grandparents to meet with babies born during COVID-19.

The petition is one of many demanding the easing of restrictions, and – in this case – is challenging the current definition of “immediate family”. The petition is being presented by Independent MP Zali Steggall and Greens senator Nick McKim on behalf of the advocacy group Parents Are Immediate Family.

Audiologist Sophie Robinson, who moved to Australia three years ago, told reporters in Canberra that “It’s been really hard.”

She moved to Australia three years ago and wants to return to work as an essential health worker “but without any help or support from my family that’s just impossible”, she said.

Her parents are unable to to come to Australia to assist her and she is considering to move back to the UK.

Ms Steggall said her office was being inundated with desperate calls for help, particularly from new mothers whose parents are unable to come to Australia to assist them or to meet their grandchildren.

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“These women, these babies need to understand what the long term plan for Australia is,” she said.

Australia’s borders closed in March 2020 and, since then, more than 100,000 people have applied for a travel exemption for a parents living abroad to be able to enter the country. More have applied to leave Australia in order to see a parent overseas, however most applications have been rejected.

Spouses, de facto partners and legal guardians of Australian citizens are allowed to enter Australia, however parents are not.

Meanwhile, there are still around 40,000 Australian citizens stranded overseas.

Reunification with family should be considered a compelling and compassionate reason to travel.