The French citizen dubbed ‘Bollard Man’ for his bravery throughout the Bondi Junction assault has been provided everlasting residency, in line with lawyer Belinda Robinson.
A web based petition calling for Damien Guerot to be granted Australian citizenship was began after he confronted at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday in an effort to guard others.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles advised SBS Information that he had requested his division to look into visa choices for the development employee.
“Mr Guerot’s extraordinary bravery is an instance of the character all of us need to see in our society,” Giles stated in a press release on Tuesday.
“We thank Mr Guerot in addition to different members of the general public, our heroic law enforcement officials and first responders who’ve helped defend others from hazard.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Guerot’s “extraordinary bravery”, saying .
“I say this to Damien — who’s coping with his visa purposes — that you’re welcome right here, you might be welcome to remain for so long as you want,” he advised reporters.
Robinson, who began the net petition, stated the Frenchman had been contacted on Tuesday afternoon and advised he can be granted everlasting residency.
“He received a name from immigration and the prime minister stated that he cannot give him citizenship, however we’ll give him everlasting residency,” she advised SBS Information.
“We’re simply ready to listen to again when that is going to turn into official.”
A nonetheless from a video exhibiting Damien Guerot confronting Joel Cauchi with a bollard on the Bondi Junction purchasing centre on Saturday. Supply: Twitter
Robinson stated Gureot was “actually glad” with the result.
“He stated in his phrases, ‘That is already superb information’,” she stated.
“I believe he means in itself that everlasting residency is superb … that he would even be capable of get that.
“He is stoked. I believe he is simply such a humble man that I believe he completely did not count on something.”
when Cauchi went on a stabbing rampage within the purchasing centre.
A number of others have been injured earlier than the 40-year-old was shot lifeless by police inspector Amy Scott.
Guerot was amongst those that leapt to assistance from strangers, with footage of him confronting Cauchi on an escalator with a bollard going viral on social media and incomes him the title “Bollard Man”.
Earlier than beginning the petition, Robinson stated she and Gureot have been “complete strangers”.
“Now we have been speaking on daily basis and I’ve clearly provided to assist him in any method that I can as a result of I am a lawyer,” she stated.
“I simply let him know that I’ll act for him professional bono if he wants something in any respect. I’ll assist him to finish any paperwork or purposes or something that he wants.
“He is accomplished one thing so good, so I believe it is so vital to maintain passing on the great and the positivity.”
Robinson stated it was “actually heartwarming” how quickly assist for Gureot’s case had gained momentum.
“The web’s so superb now how simply inside days a message might be unfold so rapidly,” she stated.
“It is so good to see one thing glad come out of such a horrible occasion.
“It could not occur to a greater individual. He deserves it a lot.”
