Tasmanian Greens MP Helen Burnet has presented a petition to state parliament signed by almost 6,500 people calling for an Indian student left severely disabled after an alleged attack to be allowed to stay in the state.
Devarshi Deka, known as Dave, was left with serious injuries after the alleged incident in Salamanca earlier this year.
The petition Burnet presented on Wednesday asks Premier Jeremy Rockliff to intervene and help Deka stay in Tasmania to receive the medical treatment and rehabilitation he needs.
“This is a strong message from the Tasmanian community that this island will not tolerate racism,” Burnet said.
“Unfortunately, Dave will find acquiring permanent residency difficult because he will not be able to pass a medical test as part of his application.”
“It means that he will be sent back to India, to his former home, many kilometres from the closest medical help he needs.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff acknowledged Deka’s presence in the chamber and the “horrific circumstances” he finds himself in.
“I would well appreciate the very worrying circumstances of the family and, indeed, reflected in the 6,000 Tasmanians who have quite rightly put their names to a petition in advocacy for Mr Deka,” he said.
“Correctly, as stated by the Honourable Member, Mr Giles, the Federal Minister is responsible for these matters and, certainly, I am more than willing to make representation to Canberra on behalf of Mr Deka and his family.”
Rockliff said the incident that left Deka with his serious disability was “senseless” and added that acts of violence have “no place here in Tasmania”.
“We need to do more when it comes to supporting our multicultural communities,” he said.
“It is utterly abhorrent and, in my very strong view, is not a reflection of the Tasmanian people.”
