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| Dying Pakistani student's family granted visas to visit, after immigration U-turn | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The immigration department has granted visas for the family of a young, terminally ill Pakistani student so they can visit him in Melbourne before he dies. | |
| The decision came to light just minutes after immigration minister Peter Dutton had backed his department’s earlier decision to deny the family visas. | |
| In a media conference Dutton cited the “national interest” and the cost of visa overstayers when defending the refusal, but said it was “likely” the family would be allowed to visit if they lodged a new application. | |
| Hassan Asif, 25, has just weeks to live, after a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma in April, and is being cared for by a charity for the homeless. | Hassan Asif, 25, has just weeks to live, after a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma in April, and is being cared for by a charity for the homeless. |
| Asif’s brother and mother were both denied visitor visas by the immigration department, and Asif is too sick to travel. | Asif’s brother and mother were both denied visitor visas by the immigration department, and Asif is too sick to travel. |
| Related: Immigration department refuses visas for family of dying Pakistani student | Related: Immigration department refuses visas for family of dying Pakistani student |
| Addressing media on Wednesday afternoon, Dutton said the decision of his department was “appropriate” but said he had asked for more information from the mother and brother, and requested that they lodge another application. | Addressing media on Wednesday afternoon, Dutton said the decision of his department was “appropriate” but said he had asked for more information from the mother and brother, and requested that they lodge another application. |
| “The decision maker has to weigh up whether or not somebody coming to our country is likely to make a claim for protection or stay in Australia otherwise, and in some cases that can result in millions of dollars of expense to the taxpayer,” said Dutton. | “The decision maker has to weigh up whether or not somebody coming to our country is likely to make a claim for protection or stay in Australia otherwise, and in some cases that can result in millions of dollars of expense to the taxpayer,” said Dutton. |
| “It may mean that somebody is here on welfare for an extended period of time, so the consideration has to be in the national interest. There are many issues and this young man is in a terrible circumstance and the decision-maker has to weigh up not only the personal circumstances but also what is in the national interest.” | “It may mean that somebody is here on welfare for an extended period of time, so the consideration has to be in the national interest. There are many issues and this young man is in a terrible circumstance and the decision-maker has to weigh up not only the personal circumstances but also what is in the national interest.” |
| Dutton noted the diplomatic post in Islamabad would be closed for about six days over Christmas, but he still hoped the matter would be resolved quickly. | Dutton noted the diplomatic post in Islamabad would be closed for about six days over Christmas, but he still hoped the matter would be resolved quickly. |
| “But I think with further information and a subsequent application I think that can be dealt with fairly quickly and hopefully the mother and brother can come to Australia sooner rather than later.” | “But I think with further information and a subsequent application I think that can be dealt with fairly quickly and hopefully the mother and brother can come to Australia sooner rather than later.” |
| Moments after the press conference ended, Sky News tweeted that visas had been granted, citing an interview with Dutton. | |
| When contacted the department of immigration said there had been “some developments”, but was then unable to confirm the new decision and referred Guardian Australia to the minister’s office. | |
| A spokesman for Dutton then confirmed the visas had been granted, and said Dutton was only made aware of it at the end of his press conference. | |
| The department of immigration earlier did not respond to questions from Guardian Australia on how the decision was made or if they would review it in light of pleas from across Australia. | The department of immigration earlier did not respond to questions from Guardian Australia on how the decision was made or if they would review it in light of pleas from across Australia. |
| Several petitions had emerged calling for Dutton to intervene. | Several petitions had emerged calling for Dutton to intervene. |
| The Melbourne City Mission, which is caring for Asif at a youth homelessness refuge, asked Dutton to urgently reopen the case. | The Melbourne City Mission, which is caring for Asif at a youth homelessness refuge, asked Dutton to urgently reopen the case. |
| “Melbourne City Mission believes it is unconscionable that this young man – who has family – be allowed to die without a loved one by his side. Hassan has no family or community ties in Australia,” it said. | “Melbourne City Mission believes it is unconscionable that this young man – who has family – be allowed to die without a loved one by his side. Hassan has no family or community ties in Australia,” it said. |
| A Change.org petition has urged the minister to allow Asif’s mother to be with him. | A Change.org petition has urged the minister to allow Asif’s mother to be with him. |
| Federal Labor’s immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, said the decision appeared “disgraceful and heartless.” | Federal Labor’s immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, said the decision appeared “disgraceful and heartless.” |
| “Mr Dutton needs to immediately intervene and sort out this bureaucratic bungle,” Marles in a statement. “If there is a legitimate national security risk that should be made clear. Otherwise, common sense and compassion should prevail.” | “Mr Dutton needs to immediately intervene and sort out this bureaucratic bungle,” Marles in a statement. “If there is a legitimate national security risk that should be made clear. Otherwise, common sense and compassion should prevail.” |
| Greens leader Richard Di Natale urged the government to “find a heart” and allow the visit of Asif’s family. | Greens leader Richard Di Natale urged the government to “find a heart” and allow the visit of Asif’s family. |
| “Hassan is entering the terminal phase of his life and is unable to travel overseas. To deny him and his family the chance to reunite once more is cruel,” Di Natale said in a statement. | “Hassan is entering the terminal phase of his life and is unable to travel overseas. To deny him and his family the chance to reunite once more is cruel,” Di Natale said in a statement. |
| On Tuesday the department told the ABC it had considered the nature of the request but would not be reviewing the decision. It urged Asif’s family to reapply. | On Tuesday the department told the ABC it had considered the nature of the request but would not be reviewing the decision. It urged Asif’s family to reapply. |
| “When deciding if an applicant intends a genuine temporary stay in Australia, the decision-maker must take into account relevant considerations such as the applicant’s personal circumstances, incentive to return home, financial situation and ability to support themselves while in Australia,” the department said. | “When deciding if an applicant intends a genuine temporary stay in Australia, the decision-maker must take into account relevant considerations such as the applicant’s personal circumstances, incentive to return home, financial situation and ability to support themselves while in Australia,” the department said. |