The bikie father of AFL star Dustin Martin has been denied entry into Bali for a family Christmas celebration – allegedly because of Australian government intervention.
Shane Martin was exiled to New Zealand from Australia in March under the Immigration Act on ‘character grounds’ because of his alleged links to the infamous Rebels bikie club.
The family had planned to celebrate Christmas in Bali but Shane was stopped from entering Indonesia after arriving at Denpasar airport, according to the Herald Sun.
Shane Martin (centre) bikie father of AFL star Dustin Martin (far left) has been denied entry into Bali for a family Christmas celebration
Shane Martin was exiled to New Zealand from Australia in March under the Immigration Act on ‘character grounds’
Dustin Martin said he was ‘shattered’ about the decision.
‘We had Christmas in Bali planned for a while … and it was going to be really special for my family to be all together,’ he said.
‘I was just shattered and really confused.
‘I’ve had a good year on the footy field with the club’s success and everything. I’m a really proud Australian and I love this country but this just isn’t a fair go.’
The Martins will now celebrate Christmas in New Zealand after Shane was barred from entering Bali on December 12.
The Martins will now celebrate Christmas in New Zealand after Shane was barred from entering Bali on December 12
Shane Martin was stopped from entering Bali at Denpasar Airport in December
Earlier in December 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 reported.
Shane’s lawyers sent an email to Mr Dutton’s lawyers in November, stating their plans to travel to Bali via Sydney airport.
He had travelled to Indonesia via Sydney and Melbourne in October, and the Australian government was told about those trips beforehand.
Lawyers for Mr Dutton said Shane couldn’t land in Australia, and should fly via Singapore.
The family then changed the flights as recommended before Shane was stopped from entering Bali.
Shane’s wife Adriana said although their ‘really special Christmas’ had been stopped, they are ‘making the best of it’ in 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
Martin’s appeal against his deportation to New Zealand 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
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
‘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.