‘They can’t go back, they need to be here’: Parents desperate fight to keep their teenage sons, who have a condition similar to autism, in the country as the government tries to deport them because ‘their care would cost too much’
- Parents of two sons with mental impairments are fighting to stay in Australia
- Faisal Altaf, from Pakistan, moved to Melbourne with his family eight years ago
- Federal government wants to deport the family claiming the care costs too much
The parents of two teenagers with a mental impairment are fighting with the government to stay in Australia amid claims their care is too expensive for the taxpayer.
Faisal Altaf, from Pakistan, moved to Melbourne with his family eight years ago to ensure his sons Maas, 14, and Saim, 16, were given adequate treatment for their disability, which is similar to autism.
But the federal government wants to deport the family, citing they are too large a financial burden for Australian taxpayers, Seven News reported.
Faisal Altaf, from Pakistan, moved to Melbourne with his family eight years ago to ensure his sons Maas, 14, and Saim, 16, were given adequate treatment for their disability
The federal government wants to deport the family, citing they are too large a financial burden for Australian taxpayers
While the government estimates the siblings would cost more than $7million to taxpayers, Mr Altaf said he can support his family.
‘I can support any aspect for my family… I can support them because that’s my life.’
Mr Altaf works full time while his wife stays home to care for the children.
‘These boys are harmless so what can I say to the Australian government? We are just here for the good life.’
The family have developed a strong rapport with their local community who visit the teenagers and have even donated toys for them to play with.
There is also a petition circulating to keep them in Australia.
While the government estimates the siblings would cost more than $7million to taxpayers, Mr Altaf (pictured) said he can support his family
‘These boys stay here, they really need to be here they can’t go back. They need to be here,’ a community member told Seven News while crying.
Local MP Peter Khalil said he’d urge the government to consider compassionate grounds and the family’s contribution to the country in the long-term.
Mr Khalil said the fact the community had rallied behind the family was a testament to them as ‘wonderful’ members of the locality.