Peter Dutton Explains The Situation Around Shane Martin's Visa

On The Hot Breakfast this morning


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Immigration Minister Peter Dutton joined The Hot Breakfast this morning to clear up the situation regarding Shane Martin.

Martin - father of Richmond premiership superstar Dustin Martin - is still unable to return to Australia after being deported from the country last year.

"I've made a decision in relation to Mr Martin - and we've made it in relation to a number of other bikies and people who have been involved in the distribution of drugs and organised crime activities otherwise," Dutton said to EdWil and Darce on Triple M.

"And we know the Rebels - of which Mr Martin was the president - is an organisation that is involved in all sorts of illegality.

"So, we've made the decision to cancel the visa.

"There's a case before the court at the moment which I can't really comment on, but it largely hinges on whether or not the lawyers representing me made a declaration around whether or not Mr Martin was, or is, a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang.

"It's a legal technicality they're looking at."

Martin's case was mentioned in the Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday; and Dutton said that he would still be able to apply for a visa in the meantime.

"He can apply for a visa, but he'd have to satisfy the character grounds in relation to that and I'd have to make a decision in relation to it," he said.

"But I've been very clear - I've looked at every detail of this case, I've examined at it very closely.

"Obviously there are many other bikies around that have been involved in the distribution of drugs, extortion, stand-over - all sorts of activities that outlaw motorcycle gangs involve themselves in.

"Nobody is interested in those cases because they don't have a famous son.

"Dusty is a great footy player, but it doesn't make his old man a good person.

"These are always tough decisions but that's the decision that I've made."

Listen to the full chat here:

5 December 2017




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