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Parliamentary plea for 2yo Bunbury boy facing deportation

Kate FieldingSouth Western Times
Bunbury MLA Don Punch made a stirring speech in Parliament calling on compassion for a two-year-old disabled boy facing deportation. Inset: Kayban with his father, Jamshaad.
Camera IconBunbury MLA Don Punch made a stirring speech in Parliament calling on compassion for a two-year-old disabled boy facing deportation. Inset: Kayban with his father, Jamshaad. Credit: South Western Times

Bunbury MLA Don Punch has made a stirring speech in Parliament calling on compassion for a two-year-old disabled boy facing deportation.

Bunbury’s Shizleen Aishath and Jamshaad have been locked in a legal battle to stop their son Kayban from being deported after he was refused a visa due to his disability.

Kayban has severe haemophilia — a bleeding disorder which stops blood clotting — along with an acquired brain injury, which occurred when he was born in Bunbury.

Shizleen Aishath and Jamshaad with Kayban, middle, and their other children, Kyara, 5, and Kaahil, 11.
Camera IconShizleen Aishath and Jamshaad with Kayban, middle, and their other children, Kyara, 5, and Kaahil, 11. Credit: Supplied

A online petition calling on the Federal Government to step in has attracted more than 12,000 signatures. During Parliament last week, Mr Punch called on compassion in Kayban’s situation.

“The family to date have met the cost of his health needs and are paying their way through their own dedication and hard work,” Mr Punch said.

“However, that’s not been accepted by the Department for Immigration and his circumstances are now before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal — a two-and-a-half-year-old-boy.

“If the family is returned to the Maldives, Kayban has a very poor prognosis ... that’s the assessment of medical practitioners.

“Kayban is a two-and-a-half-year-old fighter, but his future is now firmly in the hands of the Federal Immigration Minister.

“I draw attention to this in this place, knowing this is not a matter that can be addressed by the State, but it is firmly in the hands of the Commonwealth.

“The decision not to grant Kayban a visa does not pass the pub test and does not pass the test of over 11,000 signatures now in support of a petition to allow him to stay and that number’s increasing every day.

Shizleen Aishath and Jamshaad with Kayban and their other children Kaahil and Kyara.
Camera IconShizleen Aishath and Jamshaad with Kayban and their other children Kaahil and Kyara. Credit: Supplied

“Kayban highlights the importance that all of us, as members of Parliament, should act not only impartially but with compassion, regardless of whether it’s a question of visas and the Commonwealth or a question of shaping the State Budget.

“We have an obligation to act fairly, with integrity and with compassion for our communities.”

The matter continues with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Sign Kayban’s petition here.

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