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It helps to have friends in powerful places.
Revelations that Pakistani Cricketer Fawad Ahmed was granted a permanent visa despite DIBPs major concerns about his visa application is turning out to be a damning indictment of the ministerial intervention considerations.
Government briefing documents obtained by the ABC revealed that DIBP considered Ahmed’s case was ‘borderline” from the beginning and was worried it “may result in an adverse impact’ on other asylum seekers who apply through the normal channels.
It is reported that sources inside DIBP told the ABC that Ahmed received special treatment from both major political parties due to ongoing pressure from the cricket establishment.
Ahmed's claim for asylum was initially rejected by both the Immigration Department and Refugee Review Tribunal.
“Confidential documents show the tribunal member who reviewed Ahmed's case did not believe many of his claims of persecution.”
In campaigning for ministerial intervention, Mr Derek Bennet from the Melbourne Cricket Club wrote a private letter to the minister, arguing the tribunal's decision was deeply unfair and "failed to comprehend that cricket is synonymous with Western values in the eyes of the Taliban" reported the ABC.
"Mr Bennett gathered letters of support from powerful figures in the cricket establishment including Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, the head of Cricket Victoria, Tony Dodemaide, the shadow treasurer of Victoria, Tim Pallas, and the former chairman of the International Cricket Council, Malcolm Grey." reported the ABC
The ABC also said , “Over the past five months the ABC has repeatedly asked people connected to the case for an interview including; Fawad Ahmed, Grant Poulter and James Sutherland from Cricket Australia, Labor frontbenchers Chris Bowen and Brendan O'Connor, Derek Bennett from Melbourne University Cricket Club and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison. Some declined or didn't respond. Others offered interviews with strict conditions the ABC could not agree to. “
Ahmed is now an Australian citizen and has played for Australia, but has yet to get a Test call-up.
Immigration blog
I wonder if he has returned to Pakistan after he became an Australian citizen, given that he claimed to be fleeing persecution - and was the basis that Cricket Australia provided support.
It would certainly be interesting to hear from other failed and successful asylum seekers what they think of Ahmed's case in light of these revelations.