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  • Australia Denies Residency to Father of Disabled Child

    Dad of Disabled Child Denied ResidencyBy TANALEE SMITH, AP
    posted: 11 DAYS 6 HOURS AGOcomments: 324filed under: Health News, Weird NewsPrintShareText SizeAAASYDNEY, Australia (Oct. 31) -

    A German doctor hoping to gain permanent residency in Australia said Friday he will fight a decision by the immigration department to deny his application because his son has Down syndrome.
    Bernhard Moeller came to Australia with his family two years ago to help fill a doctor shortage in a rural area of Victoria state.

    Paul Carracher, Wimmera Mail-Times/AP
    Dr. Bernhard Moeller, here with wife Isabella and son Lukas, was denied permanent residency in Australia because the boy has Down syndrome.




    His temporary work visa is valid until 2010, but his application for permanent residency was rejected this week. The immigration department said Moeller's 13-year-old son, Lukas, "did not meet the health requirement."
    "A medical officer of the Commonwealth assessed that his son's existing medical condition was likely to result in a significant and ongoing cost to the Australian community," a departmental spokesman said in a statement issued Thursday by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
    "This is not discrimination. A disability in itself is not grounds for failing the health requirement — it is a question of the cost implications to the community," the statement said.
    Moeller said he would appeal the decision.
    "We like to live here, we have settled in well, we are welcomed by the community here and we don't want to give up just because the federal government doesn't welcome my son," he told reporters.
    Moeller has powerful supporters. Victorian Premier John Brumby has pledged to support the family's appeal, and federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said Friday she would speak to the immigration minister about the case.
    Roxon said the case must go through proper channels — an appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal and then the immigration minister — but that "there is a valid reason for this doctor and his family to be eligible to stay here in Australia."
    "As a government, we understand the importance of having doctors working in our rural and regional communities and we support them in many ways and continue to do this," Roxon said.
    Don McRae, director of clinical services at Wimmera Health Care Group, said the hospital had invested a lot of time and energy in recruiting the German specialist to Horsham, about 100 miles northwest of Melbourne.
    "We were very surprised by the decision," he said of the immigration department's rejection. "It's distressing for Dr. Moeller's family and distressing for the community who have welcomed him and relied on his medical services."
    Immigration Minister Chris Evans has no power to intervene in the case until the review tribunal or a court upholds the department's decision.
    The immigration department said it appreciates Moeller's contribution to the community but said it must follow the relevant laws in considering residency applications.
    "If we did not have a health requirement, the costs to the community and health system would not be sustainable," the statement said.
    More than 150,000 migrants settled in Australia in 2007-08, the department said.
    Shortages of medical practitioners in rural parts of Australia have led a number of recent government initiatives to boost the numbers of doctors and nurses nationwide.
    Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

    Linked here- http://news.aol.com/article/dad-of-d...sidency/233692


    So if you or a family member have a serious pre-existing medical condition,Australia doesn't want you?
    "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson

  • #2
    Originally posted by Shamus View Post
    So if you or a family member have a serious pre-existing medical condition,Australia doesn't want you?
    You got it in one. Otherwise people from around the world would be flooding in to take advantage of our free healthcare. It sounds cruel but you cant very well make the person sign a contract that they will not use our medical services at any point in their lives so really there is no other option. We look after our own but there is no reason why we also have to look after everyone elses. Even though the situation in this case is a little different to others, accepting this child will only open the floodgates. The next case would be rejected and the parents of that child would say that theres a different law for the kids of the rich (doctors) and the kids of poor immigrants.
    The best part of repentance is the sin

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Shamus View Post
      Dad of Disabled Child Denied ResidencyBy TANALEE SMITH, AP
      posted: 11 DAYS 6 HOURS AGOcomments: 324filed under: Health News, Weird NewsPrintShareText SizeAAASYDNEY, Australia (Oct. 31) -

      A German doctor hoping to gain permanent residency in Australia said Friday he will fight a decision by the immigration department to deny his application because his son has Down syndrome.
      Bernhard Moeller came to Australia with his family two years ago to help fill a doctor shortage in a rural area of Victoria state.

      Paul Carracher, Wimmera Mail-Times/AP
      Dr. Bernhard Moeller, here with wife Isabella and son Lukas, was denied permanent residency in Australia because the boy has Down syndrome.




      His temporary work visa is valid until 2010, but his application for permanent residency was rejected this week. The immigration department said Moeller's 13-year-old son, Lukas, "did not meet the health requirement."
      "A medical officer of the Commonwealth assessed that his son's existing medical condition was likely to result in a significant and ongoing cost to the Australian community," a departmental spokesman said in a statement issued Thursday by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
      "This is not discrimination. A disability in itself is not grounds for failing the health requirement — it is a question of the cost implications to the community," the statement said.
      Moeller said he would appeal the decision.
      "We like to live here, we have settled in well, we are welcomed by the community here and we don't want to give up just because the federal government doesn't welcome my son," he told reporters.
      Moeller has powerful supporters. Victorian Premier John Brumby has pledged to support the family's appeal, and federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said Friday she would speak to the immigration minister about the case.
      Roxon said the case must go through proper channels — an appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal and then the immigration minister — but that "there is a valid reason for this doctor and his family to be eligible to stay here in Australia."
      "As a government, we understand the importance of having doctors working in our rural and regional communities and we support them in many ways and continue to do this," Roxon said.
      Don McRae, director of clinical services at Wimmera Health Care Group, said the hospital had invested a lot of time and energy in recruiting the German specialist to Horsham, about 100 miles northwest of Melbourne.
      "We were very surprised by the decision," he said of the immigration department's rejection. "It's distressing for Dr. Moeller's family and distressing for the community who have welcomed him and relied on his medical services."
      Immigration Minister Chris Evans has no power to intervene in the case until the review tribunal or a court upholds the department's decision.
      The immigration department said it appreciates Moeller's contribution to the community but said it must follow the relevant laws in considering residency applications.
      "If we did not have a health requirement, the costs to the community and health system would not be sustainable," the statement said.
      More than 150,000 migrants settled in Australia in 2007-08, the department said.
      Shortages of medical practitioners in rural parts of Australia have led a number of recent government initiatives to boost the numbers of doctors and nurses nationwide.
      Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

      Linked here- http://news.aol.com/article/dad-of-d...sidency/233692


      So if you or a family member have a serious pre-existing medical condition,Australia doesn't want you?
      Yep. Bloody disgrace.

      A few years ago there was a bloke from Pakistan who got a residency visa here & applied to bring his family. One of his children had a congenital condition that, while relatively easy to manage here, condemns her to a short & painful life there. The Govt. said he & the rest of his family could move here, but not the daughter.

      He spent years appealing without success. Finally his mental health fell apart & in a final desperate act of process he set himself on fire outside parliament house. He died.

      I don't have kids, so I don't know how I would react knowing that the immigration bureacrats & their political masters were prepared to sentence my child to death. Clearly in the end he just couldn't live with it.

      Somewhere along the line we became a very nasty place. Not happy about it or proud of it, or of the people who are inevitably going to run the 'we shouldn't have to pay' line (never seem as concerned about wasting billions on military kit that doesn't work or subsidies to private schools & health care insurers).
      sigpic

      Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by chakos View Post
        You got it in one. Otherwise people from around the world would be flooding in to take advantage of our free healthcare. It sounds cruel but you cant very well make the person sign a contract that they will not use our medical services at any point in their lives so really there is no other option. We look after our own but there is no reason why we also have to look after everyone elses. Even though the situation in this case is a little different to others, accepting this child will only open the floodgates. The next case would be rejected and the parents of that child would say that theres a different law for the kids of the rich (doctors) and the kids of poor immigrants.
        Well chakos I guess that 's the advantage of being isloated from surrounding countries by large quanities of saltwater-you can pick and choose who gets in by virtue of health requirements mandated by the government.By your own I assume you mean native born Australians and not prospective immigrants.


        BigFella,

        Do you know how the Ministry of Health determines what conditions would pose too much of a burden on the health care system and so deny a person citizenship?
        "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson

        Comment


        • #5
          A point to remember is that the young lad will qualify for 'Disability Support Pension' FOR LIFE, and that will cost about $15,000 a year until he dies. In addition his 'Carers Pension' will double that figure.

          Very possibly, about $2 million of taxpayers money.


          John.

          Comment


          • #6
            I wonder if and when the United States has universal health care,will we deny citizenship based on these same parameters??

            I believe that the process would be viewed as discriminatory and if ever implemented would be just as quickly struck down by our court system.

            As a father myself,I feel nothing but sympathy for the Pakistani man.
            "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by ozjohn39 View Post
              A point to remember is that the young lad will qualify for 'Disability Support Pension' FOR LIFE, and that will cost about $15,000 a year until he dies. In addition his 'Carers Pension' will double that figure.

              Very possibly, about $2 million of taxpayers money.


              John.
              John,

              When does the Disability Support Pension and the Careers Pension start?
              "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson

              Comment


              • #8
                A question of morality and practicality.

                Tough.


                "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

                I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

                HAKUNA MATATA

                Comment


                • #9
                  Shamus,

                  "When does the Disability Support Pension and the Careers Pension start?"



                  AFAIK, when he takes out Australian citizenship or Permanent residency.

                  An Australian family would get it from birth, and the mother is the 'carer'. The reason is that the alternative is an institution which would be a LOT more expensive.

                  Sounds cruel I know, but there it is, you cannot have UNrestricted immigration on that basis. Some African 'refugees' come in with HIV, and cost MILLIONS in medication. I know of single HIV drugs that used to cost $24,000 a year etc.


                  John.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    We'll take them.
                    In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

                    Leibniz

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      That is because of Helen Clark.

                      One of the greatest women on Earth!


                      "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

                      I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

                      HAKUNA MATATA

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Ray View Post
                        That is because of Helen Clark.

                        One of the greatest women on Earth!
                        Be that as it may, we'll take them anyway. I did a lot of work with Downs syndrome kids and they generally aren't in any way a liability. The father is a Doctor and will contribute far more in taxes and services to society than the boy could possibly consume. Net gain, worthwhile community members.


                        These are for you by the way Ray



                        and from more pleasant occasions

                        In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

                        Leibniz

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Parihaka,

                          Both look fantastic.

                          The best dressed folks in the world! ;) :))

                          Do you grudge that I like Helen Clark?

                          She is no stunner.

                          I have seen her grilled and she answered each question with poise and immense knowledge and I will say she was better than many an Indian Prime Minister or even PMs of other countries.

                          She displayed knowledge on a variety of unconnected subjects with calm and poise and try as hard the interviewer, not once did she falter or talk rot or evade the issue.

                          A small speck of a nation that hardly matters, but she proved a world beater and made NZ something that could not be brushed aside!

                          Gave NZ a new meaning to the world!

                          The world sat back and realised that there was some country called NZ and that is was no pushover!

                          No offence meant! ;)

                          I understand Downs syndrome. My nephew was one. He died. It was tough on the parents.

                          Unlike in your country, it is not that good here!

                          You all call us socialists. You have free health care. We don't have. You are more socialist than us!
                          Last edited by Ray; 12 Nov 08,, 08:59.


                          "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

                          I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

                          HAKUNA MATATA

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Shamus View Post
                            BigFella,

                            Do you know how the Ministry of Health determines what conditions would pose too much of a burden on the health care system and so deny a person citizenship?

                            Shamus,

                            I would be extremely surprised if the Dept of Health ever got withion the proverbial country mile of this.

                            Immigration is a law unto itself. The quote below from Wiki gives you some idea of how they operated until recently.

                            Wrongful detention

                            In February 2005, it was revealed that a mentally ill German citizen holding Australian permanent residency, Cornelia Rau, had been held in detention as an unauthorised immigrant for ten months, after identifying herself as a backpacker from Munich under the name of Anna Brotmeyer.[11] In May, it was revealed that a total of 33 cases of people being wrongfully detained under the Migration Act were known, including one case of a woman forcibly deported and subsequently missing.[12] As of May, it was not known how many actually spent time in an immigration detention facility. By late May, over 200 cases of possible wrongful immigration detention had been referred to the Palmer Inquiry.[13] In October 2005, the Commonwealth Ombudsman revealed that more than half of those cases were held for a week or less and 23 people were held for more than a year and two of them were detained for more than five years.[14]
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandato...n_in_Australia

                            http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/...950727865.html

                            I imagine DIMIA has its own standard based on some pre-determined set of criteria. I also suspect that the criteria are set to maximize refusals
                            sigpic

                            Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by ozjohn39 View Post
                              Sounds cruel I know, but there it is, you cannot have UNrestricted immigration on that basis. Some African 'refugees' come in with HIV, and cost MILLIONS in medication. I know of single HIV drugs that used to cost $24,000 a year etc.


                              John.
                              John,

                              The 'unrestricted immigration' mantra is frequently used in cases like these to create the impression that if we allow our humanity to dictate our response rather than our wallets that somehow we will be 'flooded' by squillions and quintillions of people. This is a bogus argument.

                              It is extermely difficult to get in to Australia as either a migrant or refugee. There are plenty of criteria on which we judge people for migration. This does not have to be one of them. We will not be flooded. Immigration will not be 'unrestricted'. It will just mean that a handful of people with some sort of medical condition will become Australians. Perhaps they will help to re-acquaint us with an apparently withering sense of compassion.

                              We used to be a society with an economy. Now we are an economy with a society. It was not a change for the better.
                              sigpic

                              Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

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