The Australian Christian Lobby is conducting a pre-election web event with Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd as their guests.
I remain concerned at the hand dealt to a man from Iraq.
While it is a long shot I proposed a question for Mr Rudd concerning Omar's situation.
Omar has visited the Griffith electorate office and I have written on Omar's behalf.
Mr Rudd:
A resident of your electorate is severely disabled after two years detention on Naru.
Omar is now an Australian citizen and desperate to have the support of a family member.
On compassionate grounds, would you investigate if your government can help a disabled man in desperate circumstances to be reunited with his family?
If considering using Naru to detain boat people, would you investigate that it will not harm their health?
This is my understanding of the circumstances Omar has found himself in.
Omar escaped Saddam’s regime, believing his life was in danger because he refused to be part of military operations.
People Smugglers took all his money with the promise they could take him to Australia.
Omar spent two years in detention on Naru.
He worked in the hospital using his skills in physiotherapy and in the kitchen helping prepare meals.
His health was not good while living on the island, a reaction to the chemicals on the ground and in the atmosphere.
He was given refugee status and moved to Brisbane.
Omar began falling over, his speech was impaired and spent nearly one year in PA hospital with a diagnosis of cerebella ataxia.
His doctor believed it to be as a result of his time on Naru.
Government doctors told him the condition was part of his family history which he was unaware of.
Omar is lonely, depressed and concerned for the welfare of his family.
He has applied unsuccessfully for his brother to have an opportunity to come to Australia and help support Omar.
His brother is a computer programmer based in Germany, his sister is a doctor, specializing in blood conditions.
Omar is grateful for the assistance he has been given, hospital and medical treatment, access to a ground floor unit.
I hope that the ACL may have the opportunity to urge the PM and Opposition leader to urge Immigration officials to act with compassion.
(Follow the label - Omar)
(Follow the label - Omar)
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