Short Sighted

**Hosakawa Tito** · 11-01-2008, 22:52

Aussies reject residency bid over ill boy

Read this at the barbershop this morning. I hope this gets reversed. The good doctor is providing a desperately critical service to a rural community in need. How can the federal government be so obtuse?

**Ice** · 11-01-2008, 23:17

Originally Posted by Hosakawa Tito

Aussies reject residency bid over ill boy

Read this at the barbershop this morning. I hope this gets reversed. The good doctor is providing a desperately critical service to a rural community in need. How can the federal government be so obtuse?

Me too.

I found this funny (especially the bolded part):

But now Australia has rejected Dr. Bernhard Moeller’s application for residency, saying Lukas does not meet the “health requirement” and would pose a burden on taxpayers for his medical care, education and other services.

The case has provoked an outcry in the rural region of southeastern Victoria state, where Moeller is the only internal medicine specialist for a community of 54,000 people.

You would think being the only internal medicine specialist for 54,000 people would outweigh have a mentally handicapped son.

Absolutely Ridiculous.

**CountArach** · 11-01-2008, 23:27

This is just ridiculous. Our new government is supposed to be compassionate and human - this incident disproves that illusion.

**Rhyfelwyr** · 11-01-2008, 23:33

These people have enough to cope with having moved across the world with a disabled son, they seem like perfectly functioning members of society, this is unbelievable.

Why do I hear stranger stories about Australia every time I browse here?

**pevergreen** · 11-02-2008, 00:35

As much as I'd like to, I can't blame this on the government, only the department and the person who made the call.

As for the actual situation, its absolutely shameful.

**ICantSpellDawg** · 11-02-2008, 01:49

That is absurd. It is one thing to ban someone who could spread a disease or has infected themselves through poor lifestyle choices or callousness, but this is awful. Added irony of course due to the father being a net positive for the health care system.

**lars573** · 11-02-2008, 05:07

If you think it's confined to the land of Auz your wrong. A family with a child who has a mental disability was denied re-entry here too. For the same reasons.

**CountArach** · 11-02-2008, 07:31

Originally Posted by pevergreen

As much as I'd like to, I can't blame this on the government, only the department and the person who made the call.

Chris Evans (Minister for Immigration) refused to step in and allow him to stay, as I believe he is entitled to do. Hence, the Government is to blame (Though admittedly Roxon's response was excellent).

**naut** · 11-03-2008, 13:32

Originally Posted by pevergreen

As much as I'd like to, I can't blame this on the government, only the department and the person who made the call.

Hardly so, the government must take responsibility for the actions of its departments, as it is a cohesive (sometimes) political unit.

And in regards to the topic, it's a disgrace. A doctor is well-positioned to pay for any care is child requires, and won't have to rely on the support of the state anyway. And the gains outweigh any potential loss. There is nothing wrong with people with Down's syndrome.