A lawyer's fight for an Australian visa has taken an unexpected turn as he faces scrutiny over his "sex life" with his 104-year-old girlfriend.
Mart Soeson, a 48-year-old lawyer, is defending his relationship with Elfriede Riit to secure his stay in Australia.
Mart Soeson, an Estonian lawyer, is seeking to stay in Australia based on the claim that Elfriede Riit is his de facto partner after his application for permanent residency was rejected.
The Department of Home Affairs is skeptical about the legitimacy of their love story, and Mr. Soeson has had to prove the authenticity of his romantic relationship with Ms. Riit.
During a hearing at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Mr. Soeson was interrogated for three hours about the nature of their relationship and their significant age difference.
Some reports previously revealed the love affair between Mr. Soeson and Ms. Riit in February, but this was the first time he had to take an oath to tell the truth about their union.
Mr. Soeson admits that they have never engaged in sexual activities and don't even share a bedroom. Despite this, he asserts their emotional connection and commitment should qualify him for a partner visa.
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for assessing the authenticity of relationships in visa applications to prevent fraudulent claims.
In this case, they closely scrutinize whether Mr. Soeson's relationship with Ms. Riit meets the criteria for a de facto partnership.
While age gaps in relationships are not uncommon, a half-century age difference raises eyebrows and invites scrutiny.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal will have the final say in determining the validity of their relationship and whether Mr. Soeson qualifies for an Australian visa based on his partnership with Ms. Riit.
