An Altona Meadows man who nearly lost his arm in a horrific machete attack last month has thanked the federal government for extending his visa on compassionate grounds.
Indian migrant Saurabh Anand, 33, was on a temporary visa when he was attacked outside the Central Square shopping centre in Altona Meadows in the evening of Saturday, July 19.
Mr Anand suffered gruesome injuries to his forearm after being slashed with a machete, leaving him bloodied on the ground.
Since being released from hospital, the energy retail worker has been recovering at home, but with his temporary visa set to expire on August 25, Mr Anand was concerned that recovery would have to continue in his native India.
But after lobbying from federal Gellibrand MP Tim Watts and and state Western Metropolitan MP Moira Deeming, the federal government last week ensured that wouldn’t happen.
“I am relieved that the government supported me by extending my visa and giving me a pathway to permanent residency as it will allow me to stay in Australia for my treatment and recovery,” said Mr Anand, whose two-year visa extension was signed at a recent meeting with Assistant Citizenship Minister Julian Hill.
Mr Watts helped arrange the meeting and said his office had been doing everything possible to support Mr Anand during such a traumatic time.
“When I met with Saurabh I had one message for him: You’re not alone,” Mr Watts said.
“I’m relieved that thanks to this ministerial intervention, he no longer has to worry about his visa status and can now focus on his recovery.”
Ms Deeming, who’s been lobbying for Mr Anand’s visa extension since he first approached her for assistance, said she was honoured to have been able to help.
“I was so happy I nearly cried,” Ms Deeming said of her reaction upon learning the visa extension had been approved.
Mr Anand, who sustained multiple fractures, nerve damage, and severed muscles and tendons in his left arm, estimates his recovery will take at least 12 months.
Five teenagers have charged in relation to the alleged attack.
