Father of AFL star Dustin Martin has blamed by his son over his deportation, leaving him unable to return to Australia.
Shane Martin told Neil Mitchell on 3AW that his son’s high profile was ‘definitely’ the reason the Australian Government went after him.
‘What better person to make an example of?,’ Mr Martin said.
A new law will stop the father (Shane, pictured left) of Richmond Tigers superstar Dustin Martin (right) from returning to Australia following his deportation over his alleged bikie links
Mr Martin said last week he was hoping to return to Australia in time to see his son play finals football for the Tigers
‘The charges I’ve had have been amped up to make them look worse than they are.’
Mr Martin, who has called Australia home for 30 years, was deported after a new law was passed on Monday.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton pushed through an amendment to the Migration Act this week, locking Mr Martin and 20 others out of the country, the Herald Sun reported.
The laws were passed on Monday and signed off by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove in anticipation of a High Court decision, according to the paper.
Mr Dutton’s office said Mr Martin’s visa was cancelled because of his criminal record and ‘association with outlaw motorcycle gangs’.
‘If I was a threat to Australia, wouldn’t you think I’d be locked up, wouldn’t you think I wouldn’t be allowed to walk around in any other country,’ Mr Martin told Neil Mitchell.
Former Richmond star Jake King is seen speaking with Dustin Martin’s father, Shane in 2013
AFL superstar Dustin Martin is pictured right with Richmond Tigers captain Trent Cotchin
Mr Martin told the radio station he wasn’t a threat to Australia like terrorists are.
‘He should have thought about the consequences of his actions on his family and the victims of crimes at the time of his offending,’ Mr Dutton’s office reportedly said.
‘This amendment ensures that people who are outlaw motorcycle gang members, organised criminals and threats to national security cannot stay in Australia.’
Mr Martin said last week he was hoping to return to Australia in time to see his son play finals football for the Tigers, starting with their clash with Geelong on Saturday.
Martin (pictured left with North Melbourne’s Marley Williams) become one of the richest sportsman in the country after signing an $8million contract at the Tigers
‘I’ve decided to stay at Tigerland for another seven years, which I’m incredibly grateful for,’ the superstar midfielder said last week
He also wanted to be in the country for this year’s Brownlow medal count – which Dustin is widely tipped to win.
‘I’m definitely hoping [I can come back] … we should know a bit more by next Wednesday, an emotional Mr Martin told The Footy Show on Thursday.
‘We’re just waiting on a High Court decision. Hopefully it goes our way and then we’ll go through all the legal procedures and see what becomes of it.’
His appearance on the program came as his son become one of the richest sportsman in the country after signing an $8million contract at the Tigers.
‘I’ve decided to stay at Tigerland for another seven years, which I’m incredibly grateful for,’ the superstar midfielder said.
‘It’s a massive relief. I’m sick of people talking about it. I don’t like being the centre of attention so people can go and find something else to talk about now.’
Shane Martin was detained in Sydney on March 2016 after his residency visa was cancelled, part of a federal crackdown on organised crime figures.
Four weeks later he was deported to New Zealand after the visa failed to meet minimum character requirements.
Although he has never been charged, he remains banned from Australia.