Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Home Affairs. The Nguyen family of Bathurst are much loved and highly respected in our local community. They run the Anam Vietnamese restaurant, which is a Bathurst institution, and they've made a very significant contribution to Bathurst and our region. Through no fault of their own, they've had their visas knocked back, and over 19,000 people have signed a petition to have them stay in Australia. Minister, their case is now on your desk. Will you support this family in their quest to stay in Bathurst and Australia?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have some familiarity with the case. I don't know all the details of it, but, as I understand it, through no fault of their own, the person who was sponsoring them lost the right to sponsor, and there's a challenge there. I'd encourage the member to write—even today, straight after question time—directly to me with a representation. I'll work out, with the assistant minister, which of us will work with the department, and you'll be informed as to who it is.

As to the issues you've raised, as I understand the case from what I've seen initially, the individuals concerned don't appear—at this stage, from the information I have—to be at fault in terms of the circumstances that have arisen. That doesn't mean that there aren't specific rules that simply can't be bent. That might be the case. But, as with all representations, if you make the representation, we'll get departmental advice and have a look at it for you.