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Originally Posted by Tom Fleming
id be interested in this post / update on the story as it unfolds as my mum and dad would love to come over here permanently but have always felt that there were too many issues surrounding my brother who has downs to be warranted / follow up there interest to come over.
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This is the latest update reported in the Herald Sun. It looks like there has been a similar case in Perth and the ruling has been over turned.
A MIGRANT doctor desperate to stay in Australia has been asked to allow his 13-year-old Down syndrome son to submit to another medical exam.
But Horsham GP Bernhard Moeller angrily refused the request last week, despite fearing it could affect the outcome of his visa review.
"Lukas has Down syndrome. That's not going to change," Dr Moeller said. "It makes me angry. We've done the medicals twice. It's just more bureaucracy."
Dr Moeller answered a call from the Federal Government and the local community two years ago when he moved from Germany to become the town's only specialist physician. His family were medically examined twice as part of that process. The records remain available to the department.
His visa is due to expire in March 2010, but he warned it would be difficult to stay without Medicare cover, which ends next March.
"I'm working under the system, yet won't have access to the cover myself. I don't even have the words to explain that," Dr Moeller said.
"Six months is the most I can wait. If there is still no decision, I will actively look for work and somewhere for the family to live in Germany."
The Moeller family received messages of support from around Australia when their plight emerged last month.
But Dr Moeller said: "I'm worried. Some nights I can't sleep. Everyone keeps saying it will work out OK, but you can't be certain. We want to plan for the future."
Immigration Minister Chris Evans last week overturned a ruling against a midwife in Western Australia, whose son also has Down syndrome, who was in a similar predicament.