The applicant was a citizen of a South East-Asian country and had first entered Australia as a student. He applied for a Protection Visa but was rejected. He appealed the decision but it was rejected again, and the matter was eventually taken to the MIU.

In our submission, we emphasised the severe disadvantages his employers would face should the applicant not be granted the visa. The applicant had been employed by his company as a welder and a process worker for eleven years.  We also pointed out that Australia was suffering a shortage of welders at the time.

We outlined the applicant’s strong ties to the Australian community through his extensive network of friends in Australia.

We described to the Minister the dangers which the applicant would face if he was required to return to his country. The applicant’s stepfather worked as a police officer for the former government of his home country. After that government was overthrown, those who were associated with the former government were put under watch by the officials. The applicant was considered one of such people, and consequently his life in his home country was greatly restricted. We argued that the applicant had fears for his personal safety because of the South East-Asian ’ poor human rights record.

The Minister accepted our arguments and the applicant was granted a visa to stay in Australia.