Well, he has now been granted
PR!!
GERMAN migrant doctor Bernhard Moeller said he was shocked when told he and his family could stay in Australia.
Dr Moeller said he did not initially believe the woman who rang to tell him he and his family had been granted permanent residency, saying he had to get her to repeat herself a number of times.
"I had to ask them several times to confirm it: so we have permanent residency? She said: yes," Dr Moeller said.
"I didn't expect it to happen so quickly, it has been less than 24 hours (since the visa was refused).
"We were hoping to hear something from the department as they spoke to us yesterday (Tuesday) minutes after the refusal from the tribunal."
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Dr Moeller, who took up the post as a much-needed specialist physician in the Victorian town of Horsham almost three years ago, had twice earlier been refused permanent residency because his son Lukas was considered too much of a burden on taxpayers.
Lukas, 13, suffers from Down syndrome.
The Department of Immigration initially refused the family permanent residency and the
Herald Sun today exclusively reported their appeal had been knocked back by the Migration Review Tribunal - leaving Mr Evans the last hope for the family to stay.
Dr Moeller said Lukas was very happy with the decision but it had been a stressful and draining time for the whole family.
"The bureaucratic process was disappointing," Dr Moeller said.
"I never had any problems with Australia.
"We have been lucky with the amount of support we have experienced from all around Australia, Australians are such friendly people who look after each other."
Senator Evans said he received Dr Moeller's application for ministerial intervention this morning and approved it several hours later.
''It was clear to me that Dr Moeller and his family are making a very valuable contribution to their local community,'' Senator Evans told the Senate.
''Dr Moeller is providing a much needed service in the area, the family have integrated very well and they have substantial community support.''
''I'm pleased they have chosen to call Australia home,'' he said. Senator Evans said he regretted the stress the family had been subjected to throughout their application process.
Mr Evans also announced a review of laws which meant Dr Moeller's son was automatically rejected in his permanent residency application because he suffered Down syndrome.
Victoria and other states will be asked whether they support individual residency applications from families who face circumstances where they offer community benefit but, because their child has health difficulties, are presently excluded from permanent residency.
- with AAP
