Ali Choudhry, a Pakistani born man who grew up in the USA, is set to be deported to his birth country after his appeal to remain in Australia was turned down by Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison.

Choudhry has been in a relationship with Brisbane Doctor Matthew Hynd for four years and the couple were one of the first to gain a civil union in Queensland before Queensland’s new Liberal government wound back the legislation. Choudhry has set up a successful photography business in Brisbane.

Choudhry and Hynd are concerned that the government has failed to recognise them as a couple and that Choudhry may end up being deported to country where being gay brings the possibility of a life sentence of imprisonment. Choudhry knows few people in Pakistan and does speak the language.

A spokesman for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has told the ABC that the decision has nothing to do with Choudhry being gay. The spokesman said that heterosexual and homosexual couples are accessed in the same manner and that the requirement go beyond establishing a long term relationship.

Choudhry has now lodged an application to the Immigration Review Tribunal but he may be deported before the tribunal hears his case. Currently Choudhry must leave Australia by January 8th.

An online petition to the Immigration Minister has secured nearly 6000 signatures. The couple have also used the crowd-sourcing site Pozible to raise funds for their legal costs.

OIP Staff