Dustin Martin’s father Shane wins deportation appeal

The bikie father of AFL star Dustin Martin could soon return to Australia after winning his appeal against deportation to New Zealand.

Shane Martin was exiled to his home country in March under the Immigration Act on ‘character grounds’ because of his alleged links to the infamous Rebels bikie club.

But on Tuesday morning a lawyer acting for Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told the Federal Court they were dropping charges against Martin, opening the door for his potential return to Australia, the Herald Sun reports.

  

Shane Martin (left), the bikie father of AFL star Dustin Martin (right), could return to Australia after winning his appeal against deportation to New Zealand

Shane Martin was exiled to his native New Zealand in March under section 501 of the Immigration Act on 'character grounds' because of alleged links to the  Rebels bikie club

Shane Martin was exiled to his native New Zealand in March under section 501 of the Immigration Act on ‘character grounds’ because of alleged links to the Rebels bikie club

Martin’s appeal was upheld after Immigration Minister Peter Dutton conceded a legal error was made in the decision to deport him.

Justice John Griffiths was told Mr Dutton agreed the decision should be quashed.  

The father of the reigning AFL Brownlow medalist will return to court on December 19 in an effort to get his Australian visa back.

The Richmond star emotionally thanked his father after winning the Brownlow in the days prior to the grand final, who was watching on with his wife Adriana and stepdaughters Emma, 17, and Alana, 15, in Auckland.

‘To dad, I know it is tough for you not being here this week, but I know how much you love me and I love you very much,’ he said.

His father’s battle with the Australian federal government has provided the undertone to the Tigers midfielder’s success, and Shane had been attempting to reunite with his son in Melbourne to attend the September grand final.

'To dad, I know it is tough for you not being here this week, but I know how much you love me and I love you very much,' he said

‘To dad, I know it is tough for you not being here this week, but I know how much you love me and I love you very much,’ he said

The Richmond star emotionally thanked his father after winning the Brownlow in the days prior to the grand final, who was watching on with his wife Adriana and stepdaughters in Auckland

The Richmond star emotionally thanked his father after winning the Brownlow in the days prior to the grand final, who was watching on with his wife Adriana and stepdaughters in Auckland

Rebels bikie AJ Graham won a case with Dutton’s Immigration Department in September, which emboldened the Martins after the High Court found the minister unfairly used his powers to deport.

However, a day earlier, Dutton rushed through a law that would validate his previous rulings, meaning Shane’s deportation for alleged ‘association with outlaw motorcycle gangs’ would be upheld. The family and their lawyers have been fighting the decision since.

Shane spoke to the AFL Footy Show following Dustin signing a record seven-year extension with Richmond worth more than $8 million, touching on how difficult it was to be apart from his son.

His father's battle with the Australian federal government has provided the undertone to the Tigers midfielder's success, and Shane had been attempting to reunite with his son in Melbourne to attend the September grand final

His father’s battle with the Australian federal government has provided the undertone to the Tigers midfielder’s success, and Shane had been attempting to reunite with his son in Melbourne to attend the September grand final

‘It’s pretty emotional … To see your son developing into something special you know,’ he said through tears. 

‘He is a very humble, shy kid, but the Richmond Football Club has been magnificent for him. 

Should Shane be successful in Federal Court on Tuesday, he could be home in time for Christmas, barring any further action from Dutton and the government.



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