Now..what do you think about Australia?

hearty · 30-10-2008, 10:36 AM

Doctor visa denied over disabled son

13:00 AEST Thu Oct 30 2008
7 hours 33 minutes ago

A German doctor who emigrated to rural Victoria to fill a critical doctor's shortage will be kicked out of the country because his son is intellectually disabled.

Bernhard Moeller and his family have been rejected a permanent visa on the grounds that his youngest son, 13-year-old Lukas, has Down syndrome.
"I'm so disappointed and upset," Dr Moeller told ninemsn.
"My whole family loves it here, and I believe I am providing an important service to the area."
Dr Moeller moved his family, which also includes wife Isabella and children Felix, 17, and Sarah, 21, to the town of Horsham in Victoria's west two years ago after replying to an international appeal.
He is currently the only full-time physician at the Wimmera Base Hospital, responsible for treating all internal diseases as well as supervising junior doctors.
But due to Department of Immigration rules, his family will have to vacate the country when their temporary visas expire in 17 months time because Lukas' disability means he failed the compulsory health assessment.
"Where a medical officer assesses an applicant as having a medical condition that's likely to result in a significant cost to the community ... then we must accept the decision," a department spokesperson said.
"It is designed to contain expenditure on healthcare.
"The department recognises the valuable contribution Dr Moeller has made to the community and the need for skilled professionals in rural areas, but the department must be expected to apply the relevant laws and regulations."
Dr Moeller says Lukas, who loves his adopted town and local school, would be "devastated" if the family was forced to move back to Germany.
"He definitely understands something's going on and he is worried," Dr Moeller said.
"The main reason we came here was because we wanted him to attend a good school and provide a brighter future for him."
The doctor is also bitterly disappointed that the department hasn't been open to discussion regarding his son's educational and medical needs.
"I understand that they are concerned about money, but we are more than happy to pay his own way," he said.
"But no one has ever asked me about it, it's very upsetting."
Down Syndrome Victoria has called for an urgent government review.
"This decision is disgraceful and discriminatory," executive officer Catherine McAlpine said.
"Everyone will suffer as a result of this decision. The family will suffer and the people of Horsham will suffer by robbing them of a service they so desperately need."
Dr Moeller has signalled his intention to appeal the judgement to the Migration Review Tribunal, and will hire a lawyer at his own considerable cost.
If this action fails, his only options are to seek ministerial intervention or a judicial review.
Dr Moeller's other son, high school student Felix, is preparing to begin VCE studies next year, while his daughter Sarah is studying science at a Melbourne university.

fiona1975 · 30-10-2008, 10:44 AM

If this story has been accurately reported then I think it's a very sad and shortsighted response by the Aussie authorities. However there are most likely other unknown factors involved, I doubt the Immigration dept would willingly get rid of a competent Dr given the current shortage based on his sons medical condition. Plenty of people get granted visas with relatively serious medical conditions.

Paul_compy · 30-10-2008, 11:44 AM

They should take a similar stance in the uk then maybe the NHS wouldn't be on the verge of imploding.

You need to look at this from the gov's point of view, the kid will put a strain on medicare, granted it wouldnt be much for him alone but if they let him stay then they would open the flood gates for everyone else to hop on over and saturate the health care system. Much like we have here!

fatpom · 30-10-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiona1975

If this story has been accurately reported then I think it's a very sad and shortsighted response by the Aussie authorities. However there are most likely other unknown factors involved, I doubt the Immigration dept would willingly get rid of a competent Dr given the current shortage based on his sons medical condition. Plenty of people get granted visas with relatively serious medical conditions.

Can't say for sure about this but its probably correct its happened before. It always seems to be a medical doctor or similar when a fuss is kicked up in the news. Boilermakers, plumbers and such like mustn't be so newsworthy.

hearty · 30-10-2008, 09:01 PM

What about people having children after getting their PR? Will that be considered putting a strain on medicare? It's not fair because people pay tax, why can't they enjoy the same benefits?

melly1982 · 31-10-2008, 01:03 AM

Bernhard Moeller denied residency because of Down syndrome son Lukas | Victoria | News.com.au

Aldo · 31-10-2008, 01:07 AM

there is a debate on this here
http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/news-g...australia.html

melly1982 · 31-10-2008, 01:11 AM

Cheers, didnt see!

Aldo · 31-10-2008, 01:13 AM

Its not like the Australians are the "uber mensch"

yvonne-d · 31-10-2008, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_compy

They should take a similar stance in the uk then maybe the NHS wouldn't be on the verge of imploding.

You need to look at this from the gov's point of view, the kid will put a strain on medicare, granted it wouldnt be much for him alone but if they let him stay then they would open the flood gates for everyone else to hop on over and saturate the health care system. Much like we have here!

We have a disabled daughter and we are at this moment going for permenent
residency. She is deaf and is a lip reader she has a high IQ and only needs a little help in a mainstream class at school. She will be asking for no more help as a perm resident than she is getting now on a 457 visa, which is supplied by the goverment.
We were brought over by my husbands company who have been fantastic, and are backing us all the way with our perm residence visa. We have been here for 6 months and are loving it, it has taken a lot of hard work on my daughters part to adapt to a diffrent way of lip reading and schooling, but she has and we are proud of her, but all this could be over in just a few weeks if we are refused, and then how do we tell a 15 year old that we have to go back to the UK because she is deaf.
I can understand where the goverment are coming from, but when we are brought over because our skills are needed, but then told only if you have perfect children,
its a bit of a kick in the teeth dont you think.....
yvonne.