Visa protest: man tries to set himself on fire
December 3, 2008 - 8:18PM, Source: ABC
Federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans says the Government is trying to help a family involved in several protests around Parliament House.
A man jumped into the Lower House chamber earlier this week and today he tried to set himself alight in front of Parliament House.
Senator Evans says the man appears to be worried about his parents, who have been on bridging visas since they arrived in Australia in 1997.
The Senator says their application for aged parent visas is being considered and the Government recognises that the family is in Australia lawfully.
"They are holders of valid visas, they're not being considered for deportation, and this is not being considered since the former Minister intervened," he said.
"The department is working very closely with them, we've offered and tried to provide counselling and welfare support."
The man was not seriously injured and was taken to the Canberra Hospital.MP apology
A Federal MP has apologised for taking a photo the man while he was trying to set himself on fire today and then selling the image to a newspaper in exchange for a donation to charity.
The Labor member for the Queensland seat of Dawson, James Bidgood, has told parliament his actions were highly insensitive.
Mr Bidgood says he will be apologising to the man's family.
"This afternoon at an event I took photographs of a serious incident. I later passed those photographs to a news organisation in return for a donation to charity connected to disabilities," he said.
"My actions were highly insenistive and inappropriate and I am tonight writing a letter of apology to the family involved."
House of Representatives speaker Harry Jenkins is investigating Mr Bidgood's actions.
Opposition frontbencher Joe Hockey says it is a tasteless matter.
"The photo is of a man who had doused himself in petrol and threatened to set himself alight," he said.
"This incredibly disturbing image provided by the member of Parliament to the media outlet raises a number of very alarming issues."
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- JENNY'S RED NEWS
- Dear Fellow Bloggers, For some time I have thought about starting a left of centre news and commentary service and I have tried to do this by using email. But as some good, but email overloaded friends have suggested, a better way to go may be by blogging. So here it is! Jenny's Red News. My primary interests are left of centre politics and the very important question of how can we get left of centre parties, groups and grouplets in Australia working together more co-operatively. The right of centre predominates politics in this country at the present time, and they are on the march. We on the left of centre need to work together more co-operatively and constructively to put the left of centre agenda out there, for the perusal and consumption of the Australian people. Particular topics that will be reported on and on which comments are welcome are: Industrial relations - Opposition to Workchoices Refugee and Asylum Seekers Human Rights Civil Liberties Opposition to the Welfare to Work Changes Health System Reform Aboriginal Health and Reconciliation Jenny Haines posted by JENNY'S RED NEWS at 12:50 AM 0 comments