Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that Pakistani security guard Muhammad Taha, who was seriously wounded by knifeman Joel Cauchi in the Bondi Junction mass stabbing attack, will receive a permanent residency visa. The move comes after critics called out the double standards in the response to his actions compared to the “Bollard Man“, who was instantly offered residency.
“They said they would do that [permanent residency],” Taha said while being interviewed by The Australian on a call from his hospital bed.
“I’m very honoured. It’s a great gesture from the government.
“I’ve been in Australia around one-and-a-half years. It’s home to me. I love being here. I’m very thankful for this.”
Commenting on the matter, the PM said Taha was, “clearly good character”.
“This is someone who put his own safety at risk, working as a security officer, in order to provide safety for people who were there at Westfield,” he said per the ABC.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles reportedly spoke with Taha during the week and assured him his visa would be “sorted out”.
For context, the person better known by the public as the “Bollard Man”, French nation Damien Guerot, was filmed using a bollard to confront Cauchi and prevent him from entering an area where children were playing in Bondi Junction Westfield. After footage of the moment went viral, Guerot was hailed a hero and offered permanent residency in Australia.
“I say this to Damien Guerot – who is dealing with his visa applications – that you are welcome here, you are welcome to stay for as long as you like,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
However, Pakistani security guard Muhammad Taha — who was stabbed by Cauchi and seriously injured in his effort to stop the attacker— did not initially receive the same fanfare or public recognition, despite nearly losing his life.
He told The Australian from his hospital bed on Wednesday that his visa expires in a month — and questioned why he and the other security guards who risked their lives were not offered the same recognition as Guerot.
“Another individual, using a bollard, bravely attempted to stop the attacker and was subsequently offered residency by the Australian Prime Minister due to his courageous actions,” Taha said.
“Similarly, as a direct victim of the incident, I believe I deserve recognition and consideration for citizenship.
“As well, the guards working alongside came running towards the point of incident and risking their lives … (they) should be offered citizenship as well.”
The double standard had also raised eyebrows on social media, and for a moment, it looked like Albanese was in damage control.
The prime minister told Adelaide radio station 5AA earlier in the week that he “certainly will” consider allowing Taha to stay in the country. He also (finally) recognised Taha for his “extraordinary courage”.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, on the other hand, did not appear keen for Taha to receive the same privileges as Guero.
When the Frenchman was offered permanent residency, Dutton said we “shouldn’t be afraid of wanting people to come to our country who are the best people.”
But when he was approached by ABC News about Taha, he had this to say: “That’s obviously an issue for the Prime Minister. At the moment the focus is on those who lost their lives [and] those who are recovering and I think any other matter can be dealt with in due course.”
Hmm.
Taha was with Faraz Tahir, the Pakistani security guard who was tragically killed by Cauchi while on his first day in the job, during the horrifying incident on Saturday that left six dead and 17 injured.
Tahir was a refugee who came to Australia to escape persecution in Pakistan.
He came here for a safer life.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who released a statement mourning Tahir, said he was known for his “unwavering dedication and kindness”.
