The father of AFL superstar Dustin Martin could be reunited with his son in Australia by Christmas as he prepares to appeal his deportation.
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 infamous Rebels bikie club.
The father of the reigning Brownlow medalist will have his case heard in Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday, with the Herald Sun reporting the government may throw out the case and allow Shane to return.
‘We will have to wait for the court outcome,’ Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s office said.
The father of AFL superstar Dustin Martin could be reunited with his son in Australia by Christmas as he prepares to appeal his deportation
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
The Martin father-son relationship has been well documented, particularly during Dustin’s rapid rise to becoming the face of the AFL.
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.