Vanstone's Visa Refusals Overruled

Sun Herald

Sunday April 1, 2007

By Frank Walker

IMMIGRATION Minister Kevin Andrews has overturned his predecessor Amanda Vanstone's decision to expel a man who was married to an Australian and had Australian-born children.

Earlier this month The Sun-Herald reported the case of Fijian-born Sailesh Chandra, 29, who faced deportation after Senator Vanstone rejected his pleas to stay with his Australian family.

Mr Chandra had been married to an Australian for six years and had two young daughters. Senator Vanstone refused to intervene and keep the family together after Mr Chandra had been rejected for refugee status.

Mr Andrews became Immigration Minister in February and has reviewed many recent decisions. He has ruled the Chandra family should stay together and Mr Chandra should get a six-month temporary visa while he applies to stay as a spouse.

Mr Andrews will also allow Pakistani Rizwan Waquar and his family to stay after the Government rejected their appeals for permanent residency eight times.

© 2007 Sun Herald

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