MELBOURNE, Sept 7 (NNN-BERNAMA) Doctor Mohamed Haneef, who used to work on the Gold Coast in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland, is effectively trapped in India, according to his Australian lawyer, Peter Russo.
This was because of the Australian Government’s legal appeal over his work visa, he said, adding that until the visa issue was resolved, Dr Haneef could not apply for jobs outside India and this placed his future medical career in jeopardy.
Brisbane-based Russo said Thursday the Australian government’s move to appeal last month’s Federal Court decision, which ordered Dr Haneef’s work visa be reinstated, was expected.
Russo said there was a court date of Sept 25 when parties might hear when the Australian government appeal would be heard. A hearing date in December was likely, he added.
“The sooner the better is how Dr Haneef views this process,” Russo was quoted by the Australian Associated Press (AAP) news agency as saying. “He is patient and understands how the appeal process works in Australia. But on a personal and professional level it is a very frustrating time for him.
“He wants to continue his medical studies, he wants to continue his work in the medical profession but even though he has a job waiting for him at Gold Coast Hospital, he cannot return unless he has a work visa.
“The manner in which his Australian visa was revoked means he cannot seek work in many other countries, which means from a career perspective he is effectively trapped in India until this is resolved.”
This imposed further pressures upon him, as he had a wife and child to support and family commitments in Bangalore, India.
“Apart from any legal interpretation issues, which could be solved by legislation, nobody can understand why (Australian) Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews persists in denying Dr Haneef the reinstatement of his work visa, and he has even been reported as saying he would go to the High Court if necessary,” Russo said.
“Dr Haneef’s legal team is ready to match Mr Andrews at every step. It is important to remember that a man’s life and his family’s livelihood are at stake. Dr Haneef was swept up in a terror-related investigation.” — NNN-BERNAM