Nauru detainee granted permanent protection visa
TONY EASTLEY: After almost six years of being detained, much of it on a remote island, one of Australia's most unique boat people has been granted a permanent protection visa.
27-year-old Muhammad Faisal was originally considered to be a security risk after an adverse assessment by the spy agency ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation).
That assessment kept him on the Pacific island of Nauru until he was sent to a Brisbane psychiatric facility last year.
His supporters say he should never have been sent to the detention facility in the first place.
Karen Barlow reports.
KAREN BARLOW: During his years in detention, Muhammad Faisal was found to have a strong case for refugee status, but he was also classed as a national security risk.
After his mental condition deteriorated last year and he was sent to Brisbane by the Nauruan Government, for care, another application was lodged for a protection visa.
The Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says ASIO now says Muhammad Faisal can be given a security clearance.
PHILIP RUDDOCK: Yes, they came to a different view on the basis of fresh consideration of material that was before it that was different to what was before them before.
KAREN BARLOW: Mr Ruddock says he can't go into the details of ASIO's assessments, but he denies the agency got it wrong the first time.
PHILIP RUDDOCK: They made a decision on the basis of information that was before them at the time and I might say, they went back and reviewed those decisions on a number of occasions and the assessment didn't change. On this occasion it has.
KAREN BARLOW: Greens Senator Kerry Nettle says it must have been wrong although she says everyone, including Muhammad Faisal may never know why.
KERRY NETTLE: He never understood why he'd had an adverse security assessment made against him. He was never told and his lawyers were never told.
So a decision was made to not allow this refugee to live in Australia because of a bogus, inaccurate security assessment that was kept secret from him and his lawyers.
Now the fact that, that has now turned around is horrendous. To have ruined this man's life and his mental health.
KAREN BARLOW: Labor says Muhammad Faisal should never have been held on Nauru.
Immigration Spokesman Tony Burke says the Pacific Island's remoteness contributed to his plight.
TONY BURKE: Had he been held on Australian territory, had he been held for example, in Christmas Island you could've had Australian Government officials visiting him and talking with him whenever Australian Government officials wanted to, not waiting around for when they could get a plane off to Nauru and when the Nauruan Government would give Australian officials permission to meet with him ...
AM
Tagged: refugees, australia, human+rights, civil+rights
27-year-old Muhammad Faisal was originally considered to be a security risk after an adverse assessment by the spy agency ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation).
That assessment kept him on the Pacific island of Nauru until he was sent to a Brisbane psychiatric facility last year.
His supporters say he should never have been sent to the detention facility in the first place.
Karen Barlow reports.
KAREN BARLOW: During his years in detention, Muhammad Faisal was found to have a strong case for refugee status, but he was also classed as a national security risk.
After his mental condition deteriorated last year and he was sent to Brisbane by the Nauruan Government, for care, another application was lodged for a protection visa.
The Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says ASIO now says Muhammad Faisal can be given a security clearance.
PHILIP RUDDOCK: Yes, they came to a different view on the basis of fresh consideration of material that was before it that was different to what was before them before.
KAREN BARLOW: Mr Ruddock says he can't go into the details of ASIO's assessments, but he denies the agency got it wrong the first time.
PHILIP RUDDOCK: They made a decision on the basis of information that was before them at the time and I might say, they went back and reviewed those decisions on a number of occasions and the assessment didn't change. On this occasion it has.
KAREN BARLOW: Greens Senator Kerry Nettle says it must have been wrong although she says everyone, including Muhammad Faisal may never know why.
KERRY NETTLE: He never understood why he'd had an adverse security assessment made against him. He was never told and his lawyers were never told.
So a decision was made to not allow this refugee to live in Australia because of a bogus, inaccurate security assessment that was kept secret from him and his lawyers.
Now the fact that, that has now turned around is horrendous. To have ruined this man's life and his mental health.
KAREN BARLOW: Labor says Muhammad Faisal should never have been held on Nauru.
Immigration Spokesman Tony Burke says the Pacific Island's remoteness contributed to his plight.
TONY BURKE: Had he been held on Australian territory, had he been held for example, in Christmas Island you could've had Australian Government officials visiting him and talking with him whenever Australian Government officials wanted to, not waiting around for when they could get a plane off to Nauru and when the Nauruan Government would give Australian officials permission to meet with him ...
AM
Tagged: refugees, australia, human+rights, civil+rights
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