Fed: Harradine says discrimination to block family of burns man

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2001
Fed: Harradine says discrimination to block family of burns man

Independent Senator BRIAN HARRADINE has called on the government to allow the family
of a Pakistani man who set himself on fire outside parliament this week into Australia.

SHAHRAZ KAYANI, 48, doused himself in petrol and set himself alight on Monday in protest
against the delays in his application to bring his wife and three children out to Australia.

One of Mr KAYANI'S daughters is severely disabled and the government has said it will
cost taxpayers $750,000 in care if she's allowed into the country.

But Senator HARRADINE says Mr KAYANI is an Australian citizen, and it's discriminatory
to treat his family any differently from any other Australian family.

Senator HARRADINE says the government is supposed to be pro-family and should support
family reunions.

Senator HARRADINE says the question of the cost of medical care for Mr KAYANI'S daughter
should not arise because relatives are prepared to meet the costs of caring for her.

AAP RTV kmh/daw/jtb/jn

KEYWORD: BURN HARRADINE ( CANBERRA)

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