Bombshell development in visa case for brave security who confronted Westfield ... trends now
The government is looking into granting a visa to a security guard who was stabbed in the stomach after bravely confronting crazed knifeman on a stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junctin.
Muhammad Taha, who is originally from Pakistan, was patrolling the fourth floor of the shopping mall on Saturday afternoon when Cauchi began stabbing strangers at random.
Yesterday, he asked why he has not been offered citizenship like 'Bollard Man'.
Nat Barr asked the same question on her Sunrise programme to defence minster Richard Marles.
'Mr Taha wants to know where his Visa is at after the Prime Minister told the bollard hero that he can be in Australia as long as he likes.
'Will Mr Taha also be allowed to stay?'
Mr Marles said his visa application will be worked through by the immigration minister.
'I'm not aware of the application being made by Mr Taha but no doubt that will be worked through by the Minister.
'I want to say really clearly the actions of Mr Taha are enormously brave.
'Coming out of that tragedy are these incredible stories of bravery for which the nation is really greatly indebted and the circumstances of Mr Taha I'm sure will be worked through.'
Mr Taha and his new colleague, Faraz Tahir, raced over to confront Cauchi, unaware he had was wielding a 30cm hunting blade.
Mr Tahir, 30, who was on his first shift in the shopping centre, was stabbed to death, becoming Cauchi's only male victim of the six people tragically killed.
Meanwhile, Mr Taha was knifed in the stomach but managed to radio other security staff for help - becoming one of the first people to raise the alarm.
Muhammad Taha (pictured above), who is originally from Pakistan, was patrolling the fourth floor of Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon when Joel Cauchi began stabbing strangers at random
Joel Cauchi is pictured during the rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction
Mr Taha was knifed in the stomach but managed to radio other security staff for help - becoming one of the first people to raise the alarm (pictured: he is still recovering in hospital)
'Another individual, using a bollard, bravely attempted to stop the attacker and was subsequently offered residency by the Australian Prime Minister due to his courageous actions,' Mr Taha told The Australian from his hospital bed yesterday before the Albanese government addressed the case this morning.
'Similarly, as a direct victim of the incident, I believe I deserve recognition and consideration for citizenship.
'As well, the guards working alongside came running towards the point of incident and risking their lives … (they) should be offered citizenship as well.'
Mr Taha was referring to Frenchman Damien Guerot who went viral after footage of him facing down Cauchi at the top of an escalator while holding a bollard went viral.
He was quickly given the moniker 'Bollard Man' and for his bravery Anthony Albanese offered him citizenship on Tuesday, claiming he was
