Mother and sister may now visit Hassan Asif in Melbourne, after immigration minister Peter Dutton reversed announcement he had made minutes earlier

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The immigration department has granted visas for the family of a young, terminally ill Pakistani student so they can visit him in Melbourne before he dies.

Despite the traumatic process, the young man “could not be happier” with the news, one of the people caring for him said.

The decision came to light just minutes after immigration minister Peter Dutton had backed his department’s earlier decision to deny the family visas.

In a media conference Dutton cited the “national interest” and the cost of visa overstayers when defending the refusal, but said it was “likely” the family would be allowed to visit if they lodged a new application.

Hassan Asif, 25, has just weeks to live, after a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma in April, and is being cared for by a charity for the homeless.

Asif’s brother and mother were both denied visitor visas by the immigration department, and Asif is too sick to travel.

Immigration department refuses visas for family of dying Pakistani student Read more

Addressing media on Wednesday afternoon, Dutton said the decision of his department to deny the family visas was “appropriate” but said he had asked for more information from the mother and brother, and requested that they lodge another application.



“The decision maker has to weigh up whether or not somebody coming to our country is likely to make a claim for protection or stay in Australia otherwise, and in some cases that can result in millions of dollars of expense to the taxpayer,” said Dutton.

“It may mean that somebody is here on welfare for an extended period of time, so the consideration has to be in the national interest. There are many issues and this young man is in a terrible circumstance and the decision-maker has to weigh up not only the personal circumstances but also what is in the national interest.”

Dutton noted the diplomatic post in Islamabad would be closed for about six days over Christmas, but he still hoped the matter would be resolved quickly.

“But I think with further information and a subsequent application I think that can be dealt with fairly quickly and hopefully the mother and brother can come to Australia sooner rather than later.”

Moments after the press conference ended, Sky News tweeted that visas had been granted, citing an interview with Dutton.

“I’d asked the post in Islamabad to have a look at the case and ask for additional information,” Dutton told Sky News.

“That’s happened and the visas have been issued. So I’m hopeful they can arrive in Australia soon and spend time with their terminally ill son and brother, and I think that’s what most Australians would expect.”

When contacted the department of immigration said there had been “some developments”, but was then unable to confirm the new decision and referred Guardian Australia to the minister’s office.

A spokesman for Dutton then confirmed the visas had been granted, and said Dutton was made aware of it only at the end of his press conference.

Sherri Bruinhout, the manager at Melbourne City Mission, which is caring for Asif at a youth homelessness refuge, was with him when he received a call from his brother in Pakistan to say the visas had been approved.

“There were tears all round from Hassan and his family and all of us and our workers,” Bruinhout told Guardian Australia.

“He could not be happier. Hassan was always confident the Australian government was a compassionate and caring government and he never lost faith the right decision would be made.”

The mission released a brief statement from Asif welcoming the decision.

Terminally ill Hassan Asif says thank you for granting family visas to visit him – video

“I want to thank the government of Australia and all the people of Australia and Melbourne City Mission for supporting me with my case,” he said. “And allowing me to be with me Mum and my brother. Thank you so much.”

Bruinhout said Melbourne City Mission was looking to get flights for Asif’s family as soon as possible, and they were all happy they could now support Asif to “die with dignity” surrounded by his family.

The department of immigration earlier did not respond to questions from Guardian Australia on how the decision was made or if they would review it in light of pleas from across Australia.

Several petitions had emerged calling for Dutton to intervene.

The Melbourne City Mission had asked Dutton to urgently reopen the case.

“Melbourne City Mission believes it is unconscionable that this young man – who has family – be allowed to die without a loved one by his side. Hassan has no family or community ties in Australia,” it said.

Labor and the Greens had also called on the minister to intervene.

On Tuesday the department told the ABC it had considered the nature of the request but would not be reviewing the decision. It urged Asif’s family to reapply.

“When deciding if an applicant intends a genuine temporary stay in Australia, the decision-maker must take into account relevant considerations such as the applicant’s personal circumstances, incentive to return home, financial situation and ability to support themselves while in Australia,” the department said.