Peter Dutton Confirms Dying Man’s Family Have Had Their Visas Approved

Hassan’s story has received some major exposure in the past 48 hours, and for good reason; after being diagnosed with terminal cancer while studying in Melbourne, his family – who are in Pakistan – attempted to apply for visas to stay with the 25-year-old in his final days. Those applications were denied. 

Cue an outpouring of confusion, support and heartache, and even a swipe from the shadow immigration minister Richard Marles, who said “for every compassionate Australian, it beggars belief what is now facing this man.”

Dutton said the initial rejection – which may have had a very good chance of standing, if the entire country hadn’t called bullshit – was due the fact ‘the decision maker’ found Hassan’s family at risk of over-staying their visas, which “can result in millions of dollars of expense to the taxpayer, it may mean that somebody is here on welfare for an extended period of time.”

Earlier today, Minister Dutton said the first decision was made without considering all the information on Hassan’s case.

While it is in the national interest to make sure visa-holders stay above board, it’s also in Australia’s interests to not, you know, publically and heartlessly deny a family the chance to see their dying son for the final time.