Footy star’s bikie dad wants to return to OzJames O’Doherty, David Hurley and Samantha Maiden
Herald Sun
4 December 2016THE deported bikie dad of footy star Dustin Martin has made an astonishing bid to return to Australia — by claiming he has Aboriginal heritage.
Shane Martin, 49, was booted back to his native New Zealand in March over his involvement with the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang — one of the most high-profile victims of the Federal Government’s anti-bikie blitz.
Sources last night told the Sunday Herald Sun that Aboriginal descent was not raised by Mr Martin during the deportation process.
But shortly after his return to New Zealand, Mr Martin visited his uncle, who revealed he has Aboriginal heritage.
“We got talking about family history ... and my uncle goes, ‘You know your grandmother was Aboriginal?’,” Mr Martin told Sky News.
They took documents to the Aboriginal Sobriety Group, which helped them get their claim assessed.
Dean Martin was then issued with a document titled “Confirmation of Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander Descent”. Shane expects to receive his own document soon.
On his application form, Shane Martin identifies as being part of the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal nation, and says this is accepted by Major Sumner, a Member of the Order of Australia and also a board member of the Aboriginal Sobriety Group.
Gary Paynter, another ASG board member, said the weight of evidence proved Mr Martin to be a descendant of Aboriginal Australians.
But Aboriginal descent does not provide an automatic pathway to citizenship, though Mr Martin believes his history proves his deportation was unlawful.
Mr Martin’s legal team is set to hold a meeting on Tuesday about whether their argument will stand up.
The footy star’s dad has not denied being involved with the Rebels but has said he has never broken the law.
“In 15 years I never even had a knock on the door from the police,” he said.
In March the Federal Government declared it was “at war” with outlaw motorcycle gangs and had ordered 81 foreign-born bikies out of the country.
Mr Martin had been living in Australia since he was about 20, and his family still lives here.
Dustin Martin has been visibly moved by the deportation of his dad this year, saying that it has been tough without him.
Now his father has also spoken of the toll his exile to New Zealand had taken on his family.
“You’ve got no idea what it’s done to my kids,” Shane Martin said.
“How can you be a father when you’re overseas? The only thing you’ve got to talk to your kids is a telephone.
“I’ve got a young bloke, Bronson, who went to Afghanistan and fought for Australia and then he comes home and his old man has been deported for something petty. Over nothing,”
“Fair enough if I was a sh — bag but I’m not.”
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton refused to comment on the case as it is the subject of ongoing court action.
“The cancellation decision is currently subject to judicial review by the Federal Court,’’ a spokeswoman for the minister said.
“Mr Martin has not formally advanced any claims of citizenship to the department or as part of his judicial review proceedings.”
Since being deported Mr Martin has been living in Tauranga, on the northeast coast of the North Island, close to where he grew up.
Richmond star Dustin Martin at training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Earlier this year his Tigers star son, Dustin, third in the 2016 Brownlow Medal count, told of his pain of playing the season without his dad on the sidelines.
“I’m very close with my dad and it’s been really tough not having him around this year,” he said.
“I’m hoping things work out and he’s back here in the near future.
“It’s affected me by not having someone close — family — around, whether it’s in the rooms after a game, or coming over to visit. He always gives me encouragement and support.
“Without him, it’s been really hard.”
Whether Mr Martin and his family will be legally considered Aboriginal Australians is unclear.
The accepted definition of Aboriginality is a three-step process. A person must be of indigenous heritage, they must genuinely identify as Aboriginal, and they must be accepted as Aboriginal by the indigenous community.
Mr Martin believes that because he is of Aboriginal heritage that makes him more Australian than many immigrants.
Simon Matthews, a Richmond spokesman, refused to comment yesterday. “It is really a matter for his family,” he said.
Earlier this year Dustin Martin and his brother begged authorities to allow their dad to return to Australia.
The Richmond star’s brother, Bronson, an Australian army officer who served in Afghanistan, broke down in tears on television as he described his grief at being separated from his dad.
Bronson told Channel 7 the decision was utterly unfair. “They took my dad away after I’ve put my life on the line for this country,” he said.
The drama had little effect on Martin’s on-field performance, as he finished third in this year’s Brownlow behind runaway winner Patrick Dangerfield and Swan Luke Parker.
He polled 25 votes in a career-best season. He also claimed Richmond’s best-and-fairest, the Jack Dyer Medal.
Mr Martin believes Mr Dutton should have thoroughly checked his history before ordering his deportation.
Mr Martin says his claims of Aboriginality will be a central aspect of his judicial review.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/dustin-martins-bikie-dad-claims-aboriginal-heritage-in-bid-to-return-to-australia/news-story/2687645ea82191cdabde72199a54f533
