A TORQUAY family's tragic separation
from their adopted Cambodian daughter has resulted in a change to the
law that will ensure others don't face the same heartache.

But in a cruel twist the change will not help Meagan and Michael Paterson or their adopted daughter Pisey.

Five-year-old Pisey has been
living in a rape crisis centre in Cambodia while the Patersons have been
trying desperately to secure a visa for her to come to Australia.

The family faces an 18-month wait to have Pisey's case heard by a Migration Review Tribunal.

Minister for Immigration and
Citizenship Chris Bowen, after reviewing the Paterson's case has
directed the immigration department to change adoption visa
requirements.

Mrs Paterson said while the
change in the law would not assist her family's case, she was happy
other families would not face the same heartache.

"I think this change shows that
the Government is listening to us and has taken on board the fact that
this law which is meant to protect children is in fact keeping families
apart," she said,

In a letter to the family received yesterday, the Minister said:

"Having reviewed Pisey's case, I
have asked the Department to amend the adoption visa requirements so
the overseas residency requirement will not disadvantage families like
your's who were genuinely living as expatriates but have had to return
to Australia in the midst of an adoption process."

The Paterson were living and
working as expatriates in Cambodia when they began the adoption process
for little Pisey over three years ago.

The couple legally adopted the
little girl, working with the Australian Embassy in Cambodia and the
Cambodian Government to ensure the adoption was legal and legitimate.

But, when Mrs Paterson's dad
Bill Welsh was diagnosed with cancer, the couple flew back to Australia
with an assurance from the Australian Embassy in Cambodia that the
Australian Government could waive a requirement that the couple be
living in Cambodia when they lodged an application for the visa that
would allow Pisey to live in Australia with her family.

The couple now know the advice
they received was incorrect and the Australian Government refused
Pisey's visa in line with Australian intercountry adoption laws.