Westfield Bondi Junction attack: Security guard Muhammad Taha will be offered ... trends now
The hero Westfield Bondi Junction security guard who faced a visa battle to stay in Australia says he is 'honoured' after being offered permanent residency.
Muhammad Taha was stabbed in the stomach as he tried to protect his friend during Joel Cauchi's deadly knife rampage on Saturday.
While recovering in hospital, Mr Taha confirmed that the government would be granting him the opportunity to stay in the country he calls home.
'Yeah, (the government) got in touch with me, so maybe they will soon start the process, hopefully,' he told The Australian on Thursday.
'I'm very honoured. It's a great gesture from the government.
'I've been in Australia around one-and-a-half years. It's home to me. I love being here. I'm very thankful for this.'
Mushammad Taha was stabbed in the stomach as he tried to protect his friend during Joel Cauchi's deadly knife rampage on Saturday
While recovering in hospital, Mr Taha confirmed that the government would be granting him the opportunity to stay in the country he calls home
In an interview with SBS reporter Janice Peterson on Thursday night, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Immigration Minister Andrew Giles had spoken with the Pakistani immigrant and expressed confidence Mr Taha's visa issues would be 'sorted out'.
'We know that Mr Taha put his own safety at risk in order to protect people who were there shopping,' Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese also told A Current Affair he was 'very confident' the matter would resolved on Friday.
'The minister has spoken with the gentlemen who is still in hospital, Muhammad, and we wish him every swift recovery,' Mr Albanese said.
'We're just going through our processes but we see no reason why this shouldn't be approved, and I'm very confident it will be approved tomorrow.'
The Prime Minister said people like Mr Taha were welcome in Australia.
The Prime Minister said people like Mr Taha were welcome in Australia
'This is again another person who is newly arrived, was here working, and put his life on the line in order to protect Australians who he didn't know,' he said.
'Amidst all this carnage and sorrow, there are stories of bravery ... he certainly is the sort of character that we want to see continuing to contribute here in Australia.'
The call to extend a permanent visa to Mr Taha followed the prime minister's announcement that 'Bollard Man' legend and French national Damien Guerot was
