[Greens-Media] Moeller immigration case not isolated in disability discrimination

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Saturday 1 November 2008

Moeller immigration case not isolated in disability discrimination

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has reiterated the Greens' call for an
overhaul of discriminatory attitudes and practices against people with
disabilities within the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Senator Hanson-Young spoke out after a family was denied permanent
residency in Victoria because their son has Down syndrome.

"This is not an isolated case of disability-based discrimination
informing immigration decisions," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"A number of similar previous decisions have been brought to my
attention, relating to families being denied permanent residency due to
medical assessments of individual members with various disabilities,
including blindness, hearing impairment and autism."

Senator Hanson-Young said that the Australian immigration system should
be subject to anti-discrimination laws as a safeguard against
disadvantaging individuals who live with disability and their families.

"We have the Anti-Discrimination Act for a reason and it must be upheld.
No Government department should be above the law," she said.

"Australia recently became a signatory to the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and yet stories like this
show there is work to be done for us to meet our international
obligations.

"The Greens urge the Immigration Minister to bring back the fair go, and
ensure his Department are carrying out case-by-case assessments."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760