Doctor denied Australian residency because of ‘expensive’ Down syndrome son
AUSTRALIA has rallied behind the German-born doctor at the centre of a heartless Immigration decision to deny him and his family residency because their son has Down syndrome.
Herald Sun readers and people across Australia moved by the plight of Dr Bernhard Moeller and his son, Lukas, have protested. Premier John Brumby yesterday joined the fight, slamming the decision to reject Dr Moeller, the only specialist physician in Horsham, in the state’s west, because of a ruling that the potential long-term costs of caring for his 13-year-old son are too great.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans was under growing pressure last night to find a way to over-rule a decision to reject the doctor’s application for permanent residency.
But the minister said he had no power to intervene in the appeals process.
Senator Evans, instead, has left it to Immigration bureaucrats to defend their decision by saying laws compelled them to reject the application.
Mr Brumby was shocked to learn the specialist’s application was rejected, and had written to Senator Evans demanding an urgent review.
Dr Moeller moved to Horsham almost three years ago in response to a federal government call-out to overseas doctors to help ease the chronic lack of doctors in the bush.
But the Moeller family this week received a decision from the Immigration Department rejecting their bid for permanent residency because a departmental officer ruled 13-year-old Lukas Moeller’s Down syndrome condition would pose significant costs on taxpayers.
“The MOC (medical officer of the Commonwealth) has assessed that a hypothetical person with the same level and form of condition in Australia (as Lukas) is likely to result in costs to the Australian community that are significant,” a departmental spokesman said yesterday. “It is estimated that this would be several hundred thousand dollars (over his lifetime).”
Under immigration laws, costs for the health care of permanent-resident applicants are considered to be significant if they are estimated to be above $21,000 over five years.
But Dr Moeller had disputed the estimate and said his family were capable of meeting the needs of his son.
Lukas attends a mainstream primary school, is supported by an integration aide and receives speech therapy.
Dr Moeller also argues he pays significant taxes in Australia that would offset costs to the community.
Yesterday, he expressed gratitude to the Australian community for its support, but said the Federal Government appeared to want the family only for as long as his medical skills were needed.
Dr Moeller said he would appeal against the decision.
- Nick Higginbottom, Mark Dunn and Gerard McManus
© Herald and Weekly Times.
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