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Wednesday January 7, 2009

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  • mark on Water prices to sky-rocket this is all about the privatisation of water and big business making money. Private water corporations like vieola want to ... more
  • john chaplin on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency I am glad that common sense has prevailed here. My niece from Uk was treated badly by Australian immigration. She now has a ... more
  • Craig on The breakdown of society? Hi Ross and John, while this state government are so soft on underaged drinking, we will continue to see all the violence, ... more
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  • Paul Gaffney on Can police be trusted? I would never trust the victoria Police with any information i had. Why would any member of the public give the police ... more
  • sl on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency hi all, please don't take this the wrong way as I am not a defender of DIAC, MRT nor the labour party. I am having to go ... more
  • nat on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency PLEASE LET THIS MAN DR BERNARD MOELLER AND HIS FAMILY STAY IN AUSTRALIA INSTEAD OF LETTING A MAN WHO HAS KILLED HIS WIFE AND ... more
  • Matt on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency It would seem pretty clear that the doctor will be in a position to support himself and his family. Together with providing ... more
  • Jacqueline on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency I have lived in Australia for 8 years and for 5 of those years have been a proud Australian Citizen. Until now. I know that ... more
  • Paul on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency Please let Dr Moeller stay. We are crying out for quality GPs in Victoria. I think we would lose more than we gain by ... more
  • Ruth Kessler on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency What about all the costs of crims and vandals who DO NOTHING for the society. We loose a well trained doctor because it will ... more
  • Angela Stefani on Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency I am a parent of a child with DS and he is no extra burden on the community than your average child. This is not about ... more

Dr Bernard Moeller wins residency

Posted by: 3AW.com.au | 31 October, 2008 - 8:59 AM


German doctor Bernhard Moeller will be allowed to stay in Australia with his Down Syndrome son Lukas after Immigration Minister Chris Evans told parliament on Wednesday afternoon he has granted the doctor and his Horsham-based family permanent residency.

"By law, the minister cannot intervene until the court upholds the decision," Senator Evans said. "I received a request this morning from Dr Moeller to intervene and I have granted permanent visas."

"As minister, I can take into account all the circumstances and it was clear to me Dr Moeller was making a very valuable contribution to the community."

The decision followed Dr Moeller's final appeal to Senator Evans, after the Migration Review Tribunal yesterday upheld the Immigration Department's decision to deny the family residency.

There has been an outpouring of support from all across Australia for Dr Moeller, who spoke with 3AW Breakfast this morning.

Blog comments Your Say

  • I am absolutely disgusted with how the Australian Government could treat this family.

    This morning, I am not proud to be Australian!

    Ed Friday 31 October, 2008 - 10:03 AM

  • I migrated to Australia 7 years back and of that 5 years I have been a citizen. My mother (62 years only parent, dependent) was refused visa a couple of times initially. Finally her parent visa was processed but put in a queue. This will last another 7 years before she can come over.

    Apparently there is another way and that is if I pay $30,000/- for another class of parent visa, to offset the cost to the Australian community. Then she can come over in 8 months. The said fee is charged by DIAC even before she has cost the Australian community any money.Hmm!

    No undertaking form me to bear all her cost and medical expenses could convince DIAC bureaucrats otherwise. Although I can bear all her expenses from time to time as they occur but paying $30,000/- upfront is obsured as a fee for the parent visa.

    Someone really needs to tell this people that they are SHAMEFUL. And the Australian community should be aware what their bureaucrats are doing, by sending out a message to every one that old people are not welcome in Australia unless they are die of old age or they pay $30,000/- upfront. Family ties or parents relationship to their child is not considered. Shameless.

    WAITINGFORVISAFOREVER Friday 31 October, 2008 - 10:41 AM

  • I have been getting angrier and angrier with this issue all morning, now I have completely blown my stack after hearing that poencil-pushing immigration department man. Human society functions on 'exceptions to the rule' when it comes to doing the right thing. For pete's sake, just approve this application for Moeller and move on!

    Bill from Bendigo Friday 31 October, 2008 - 11:11 AM

  • Like Dr Moeller, we are blessed that our daughter is at the "100" end of the scale, or "High functioning". Anyone who has met her would, like us, have no doubt that she makes and will make a huge contribution to our community and will be a happy, funcitoning member of our society as she grows up.

    I think the most insulting thing is the concept of a childs "cost" to the Austrailan government. Are there any guarantees that one of my other "normal" and currently healthy children will not develope a condition requiring special treatment in the future? Absolutely not.

    Although one has to wonder at the madness of our beaureaucratic system rejecting a highly qualified Doctor who has committed himself to working in a rural area I think this goes beyond the issue of the father's occupation to the outdated concepts of disability enshrined in legislation.

    For children with a range of conditions including DS, autism, Cerabal Palsy ect, thier education, quality of life and work prospects are amazing compared to 15 years ago.

    Shame the government's outlook has not kept up with the progress.

    Pieta Manning Friday 31 October, 2008 - 12:02 PM

  • Once again our politicians and leaders fail us, I'm a younger listener. When is our generations (gen Y) parents who are the majority of the decision makers in this country get some spine and govern for all and show real leadership instead of raking their own leafs and trying to be pop stars,just get real.

    chris Saturday 1 November, 2008 - 1:59 AM

  • Down Syndrome Victoria has posted an online petition on their website, which will be sent to Senator Chris Evans next week. Add your signature at www.downsyndromevictoria.org.au

    Janene Saturday 1 November, 2008 - 11:26 AM

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