Ms BURNET (Clark) – Honourable Speaker, it is interesting how some of the themes that we have in this place recur. We have seen that today in some of the discussion around Jari’s Law, but also with the NDIS, which I will touch on in a moment.
I put on the record the exciting news that we have all been waiting for. I welcome the news announced on Sunday evening that Devarshi Deka, known to friends and supporters as Dave, has been granted permanent residency by the outgoing federal Immigration minister, Andrew Giles. I acknowledge the contribution made to this place by Mr Willie on the same matter. This was an act of compassion by minister Giles, one of the last acts before leaving his Immigration portfolio. We should thank him for that.
I will share with you some of Dave’s story. Dave gave up a government job in India and moved to Hobart last year to study for a master’s degree in accounting at UTAS. He was fluent in five languages and has a very acute sense of humour, according to friends and something I have also witnessed.
In November 2023, while out celebrating with friends, having secured a new part-time job, Dave was allegedly the victim of an unprovoked, very violent physical assault about 100 metres from this place. This left him needing round‑the-clock care, which he is still receiving at the Repatriation General Hospital here in Hobart nine months later. He is not able to read currently, so his father reads to him at his bedside. I went to visit Dave today and saw his father, Kula, and mother, Deepalee. His father told me he is reading Dave a book by Norman Doidge, The Brain that Changes Itself, about the wonders of neuroplasticity. It is a very thick book but Dave is taking it all in.
As I said, he needs round‑the-clock care, and without intervention from the former minister for immigration, Andrew Giles, Dave would have had to return to India when his visa expired. The nearest hospital to his home town of Babita in Assam is 130 km away. The permanent residency means that he will be covered by the NDIS to receive the level of care he requires, which would have simply not been possible in his home state of Assam.
Permanent residency cannot come close to atoning for what Dev has gone through since the callous attack changed his life forever, but can go some way toward repairing the harm he suffered in his new home on our watch.
Dev’s story has touched so many people. Many journalists – and I thank the media for their coverage – have clearly felt the pain of Dev’s parents nursing their son back to better health; witnessing their anguish, possibly carrying some of the collective guilt we have of this act of violence happening in our city and our state.
Thanks for the outstanding advocacy of Dave ‘s friend Rick Kaushik and Rick’s partner, Myra, and Dave ‘s parents, Deepalee and Kula, who have been by his side through his three months in a coma and are still with him now as he takes the first steps, literally, towards recovery.
I acknowledge the work of his health professional team at the Repat, who have done an amazing job.
UTAS has helped out above and beyond for Dave.
The Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania for the help they have provided for Dave ‘s family so far.
To Eamon Jaffrey from the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, who did not hesitate to be lead petitioner.
I thank those many Tasmanians moved by Dave ‘s story. Almost 6500 people signed the ePetition sponsored by myself on behalf of the Greens calling for the Premier to make representations to the minister on Dave ‘s behalf. I thank the Premier for his positive response and you too, honourable Speaker. I thank colleagues from all sides of parliament who have rallied to support Dave and his family. It is reflective of the community spirit and the representation we provide for our community in this case. I also thank the wonderful staff in the Greens office who helped putting the petition together and staff here as well.
Finally, thanks to Dave for allowing your friends, the Tasmanian community and politicians to come on this journey with you. It must often be hard to put yourself under the spotlight when you are possibly feeling that you want to have your own time to heal. You have taught us all so much. Your strength, determination and willingness to take on this indescribable challenge is truly inspirational. As the Olympics and the heroics in Paris plays as the current backdrop, it is an absolute privilege to witness your heroic approach to the task at hand, to raise awareness of your needs and at the same time to throw your heart and soul into healing. All the best, Dave. The Greens are so pleased that you can now truly call Tasmania home.
