Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says Australia needs doctors like Bernhard Moeller, a German-born physician who has been denied permanent residency because his son has Down syndrome.

Do you think it's fair that the Moellers have been told to leave? Leave your comments below.

Ms Roxon said she would talk to Immigration Minister Chris Evans about the circumstances of Dr Moeller and his family, who moved to Horsham in central west Victoria two years ago to help fill a doctor shortage.

Dr Moeller has a temporary 457 visa that is valid until 2010, but the Immigration Department has rejected his application for permanent residency because his youngest son, Lukas, did not meet the health requirement.

Ms Roxon said the government valued the contribution made by overseas-trained doctors, particularly those who worked in Australia's rural and regional communities.

"I will be talking to the immigration minister, but my understanding is that a process needs to be undertaken first and that there is a valid reason for this doctor and his family to be eligible to stay here in Australia providing those services," Ms Roxon told reporters in Melbourne.

"As a government we understand the importance of having doctors working in our rural and regional communities and we support them in many ways and continue to do this.

"But for this particular case, it's a matter I will raise with the immigration minister, but I understand that those court processes need to be undertaken first."

However, Victorian Premier John Brumby said the Immigration Department had discriminated unfairly against Dr Moeller.

Mr Brumby said the department's decision should be reversed.

"I believe it's an error of judgment, and it discriminates against him and his family unfairly," Mr Brumby told Fairfax Radio Network.

The premier said the decision should be overturned and the state government would support Dr Moeller's application through an appeal process.

"We will be supporting his case to the federal government 100 per cent," Mr Brumby said.

"We don't make the decision in this. It's a federal decision ... we will provide whatever support, whatever submissions, whatever argument is necessary to support Dr Moeller and his family."

Mr Brumby said he had spoken to Dr Moeller, adding that he was "extraordinarily well-regarded" in Horsham and the area needed doctors.

Lukas attended a mainstream primary school and was "just like any other kid".

"He enjoys school, he mixes with the other kids, he plays sport, he reads, he writes, he does all of those things," he said.

"So I think that this is a case which needs reversing and overturning."

Dr Moeller intends to appeal the decision to the Migration Review Tribunal.

©AAP 2008

User comments

This is blatant government discrimination. He is providing a service to the community one which is much needed. He has integrated (I hate that term), into the community, and is willing to self fund his childs care. We face intolerable amounts of advertising from the government about not discriminating against people with disabilities but they are the first to do it. Here is a functioning member of society who provides a service unlike the 400 IRAQ people PLUS THEIR families who we bought to the country who have no skill other than they can speak english as well as arabic. Show me the equality their they have a home free government money and provide no service to the comunity and wont integrate

Being a foreign trained doctor myself (and it just happens to be that I am German) I know that it is not easy to practice medicine in Australia and it is becoming more difficult. There is a Doctor who wants to make a long term commitment to this society but his son has special needs.Does that make his commitment less valuable or does it make him and his son lesser members of their community.? i hope not , otherwise everything I love and adore about this country semms to be wrong. People who think aboout the cost to taxpayers should hope that their moral righteousness is so perfect that when they need help and assistance nobody will think about the costs.

You're clearly very sheltered, how about you take a look around you're own city and see how many of your fellow Australians are taking advantage of the system. Your system(taxes) and mine. If we have to support one mildly effected Down Syndrome child to increase the health of 20, 30, 40 or 50 rural Australians is that not a fair trade off? Seriously take a look around and grow up.

personally im offended. This man is a doctor of such value to the community, especially a rural one and he is being kicked out because of his son. That is unfair and discrimantory. He may be one of many. Their policies need to be reviewed. i hope he is allowed to stay.

This Doctor is very much needed and is doing a very valuable job in his community. It is pathetic that the Government is objecting to the expense for his son. We should have sympathy for them, not condem them. This Doctor is giving so much, I am sure the small amount of money for his son's medical or educational expenses can easily be covered. There are thousands of immigrants living in Australia on the dole or in prison who should be sent back to their native country. Keep this family here!!!!!!!!

This is discrimination and an absolute disgrace!As the mother of a teenager who has Down syndrome, I can vouch for the fact that this young man if given half the chance,has so much to offer. Thank you Health Minister for your support and compassion.

Hard to believe that in the voting poll, more people have voted 'yes' to forcing migrants and disabled children out than voted 'no'. So much for our big hearted generous country. It actually makes me feel quite ashamed.

I believe that the doctor shd read the requirements of immigration before he decided to come to Australia. He seems to have overlooked this requirement before coming here. This seems to me as a contemplated action and not just an issue of the government. Australia needs good doctors but now he doesnot want to play by the book. We have had our share of such doctors and here goes another.Go back to Germany where the child will get more family support than bring him here. There are villages and small towns in germany where they need doctors too....They come here only because we as australian are empathatic to such issues. We have our share and we are struggling.

I remember the little girl with aids that had to leave Australia and live in New Zealand (and they were citizens I believe)because people here made her life a misery. I think that was more than 20 years ago, has nothing changed? A little humanity would be nice. Shame on you who think differently.

Just another insane example of bureaucracy gone beserk. It beggars belief.

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