Australian immigration minister steps in for right of child

May 06 2009 by Gareth McConnell

Senator Chris Evans

A thirteen year old boy, born in Australia but of Canadian citizenship has been granted permission to live and study in Australia by the Australian immigration minister, Chris Evans.

Buddhaholy Sui relocated to Canada with his mother when he was nine years old but following a courts decision that his mother was unfit to care for him, sole custody was awarded to Master Xin-De Wang, an Australian citizen who heads a Buddhist community in Hobart, Tasmania. Buddhaholy moved to Australia with Master Wang in 2008.

Problems concerning Buddhaholy’s right to live in Australia came to light when Australian immigration turned down his request for permanent residence in September 2008.

‘Buddhaholy is a minor and in making my decision I have considered what is in his best interests,’ Senator Evans said.

‘He has resided in Australia for most of his life and has significant ties to the

Tasmanian community and the Buddhist community in particular.
‘He has the support of his legal guardian, his school and the local community and has expressed a desire to remain in Australia and finish his schooling.

The decision to grant the boy Australian citizenship came about due to the Convention on the Right of the Child. The law requires that the best interests of the child are treated as a primary consideration.

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