280 Tuvalu citizens will be granted permanent residency each year as part of a landmark pact with Australia. But for some, the offer is bitter-sweet, as their island-home disappears.
Tupa and Lailega have raised their family in Brisbane, but Lailega says Tuvalu will always feel like home.
“It’s too beautiful. It’s a good place to retire and what you heard from my husband, it’s stress free, no time for anything, very relaxed lifestyle over there.
Laleiga’s husband Tupa shares the same dream.
“The plan was to come and work, when the kids grow up, we’d retire in Tuvalu. But yeah, hopefully it’s still there when we retire.”
The family is concerned about the future prospect of returning to Tuvalu because the tiny Pacific nation is being swallowed by rising oceans due to climate change.
Last year, Australia and Tuvalu signed the Falepili Union – a landmark climate and security pact which allows 280 Tuvaluans permanent residency each year.
Just over 5100 applications have now been made – more than half of the nation’s estimated population. The lottery closed on July 18.