Scott Morrison told to reconsider visa refusal for Ayaan Mohamed, 25, who was injured as a child in Somalia's civil war

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Federal Labor has called on the minister for immigration, Scott Morrison, to reconsider a decision to deny a Somali woman a short-term visa that would allow her to undergo surgery for gunshot wounds.

Ayaan Mohamed, 25, had her face shattered by a bullet as her family tried to flee violence in Somalia's brutal civil war. She was two years old at the time.

Because the complicated facial reconstruction surgery she requires is not available in her homeland, Brisbane's Wesley Hospital and Rotary had offered to bring her to Australia.

But the government has refused to grant Ayaan a short-term medical visa.

Opposition immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, said the Australian identity was one characterised by compassion.

"Mr Morrison, this decision makes no sense," he said.

"It appears profoundly unfair and needs to be reconsidered."