Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. As the senator would know, there has been a deal of controversy around the decision to reject an application for permanent migration to this country from Dr Moeller. The process is that, once rejected initially by the department, Dr Moeller has the right to apply to the Migration Review Tribunal for review of that decision. I understand he recently did that and sought that review. If that appeal is not successful, if the tribunal uphold the decision of the department, he can then ask me, as the minister, to intervene in his case. I am able to take into account his individual circumstances, including his contribution to the community. Contrary to the press release put out by Senator Bernardi, which sought to misrepresent the situation—and I thought that was a very unhelpful contribution—