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A tumultuous off-season for Richmond star Dustin Martin unfortunately looks set to continue with news coming through on Thursday evening that his father, Shane Martin, has been detained by police in Sydney, and faces possible deportation.
Shane Martin, who is originally from New Zealand, has had his residency visa cancelled due to an alleged failure to meet certain ‘character requirements’.
It is alleged that Shane is a high-ranking member of outlaw motorcycle gang the Rebels.
In December 2014, new laws gave Immigration Minister Peter Dutton more power to cancel or deny a visa on the basis of applicants’ character. More than a thousand individuals have since been ordered to be deported from the country on this basis.
Shane will have the option to make an appeal against the decision to revoke his visa. He can make an appeal through the Federal Court.
In an interview on radio station 2GB, Dutton said that the Australian government has regularly been successful in the event of an appeal.
“A couple of bikies have gone to the High Court and matters have been resolved in the government’s favour in many cases, so I think we’ve got good grounds to cancel the visas.
“We are conducting operations with the police forces from around the country and, in addition to that, the Australian Crime Commission.
“So we’re trying, together, to identify the top targets, and people who are causing most grief in our community.
“I think people believe that if you’re here as a non-citizen you abide by our laws.
“If you don’t – if you’re committing offences against Australians – you can expect to have your visa very quickly cancelled.”
Martin played in the Tigers’ NAB Challenge match against Port Adelaide last night, having reportedly informed the club earlier in the day of the potential for these events to develop.
“We have no information in regards to that… it is a police matter,” said Richmond’s football manager Dan Richardson.
“We’ll support Dustin as we would all our players.
“He’ll be okay and hopefully with our support he’ll be fine. It’ll be tough on him.
“He seems to be fine. Albeit (the circumstances), obviously – it’s his dad. We’ll support Dustin.”
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