Australia's immigration minister has granted permanent residency to a German family whose application was twice denied because their 13-year-old son has Down syndrome.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans overturned the decisions of his department today , saying Bernhard Moeller and his family were making a valuable contribution to their community. Moeller moved to rural Australia along with his family more than two years ago to help fill a doctor shortage there.
Dr Moeller's initial application was rejected by the department on the grounds that his son's Down syndrome would be a significant cost to Australia. His application to a review tribunal was also rejected, and he appealed to Evans on Tuesday.
Dr Bernhard Moeller was informed yesterday that the Migration Review Tribunal had upheld an October decision to deny his family residency.
The tribunal agreed with the immigration department's initial decision that Lukas Moeller's Down syndrome was "likely to result in a significant and ongoing cost to the Australian community."
The office of the Immigration Minister later phoned Dr Moeller to advise him on how to file an appeal to the minister. Dr Moeller said he did so immediately.
The minister was the last course of appeal in immigration cases.
"I'm slightly optimistic," Moeller said last night. "The minister's office seemed to want to move quickly on this."
The initial rejection of their application provoked an immediate outcry across the country. Internet and radio chatter rallied behind the family, and media swarmed to Horsham to capture images of Lukas' smiling face.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has spoken in Dr Moeller's defence, as did Victorian Premier John Brumby.
AP