Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef has not yet considered any legal action against the Australian government but wants to return here to attend a full judicial inquiry into his case.
MELBOURNE: Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef, who was wrongly accused of involvement in the failed UK car bombings, has not yet considered any legal action against the Australian government but wants to return here to attend a full judicial inquiry into his case, according to his lawyer.
The 27-year-old doctor, who returned to India in July last year after being cleared of terror charges, was keen to find out when the inquiry would be held, the lawyer Peter Russo said.
He said his client, who earlier worked in a Gold Coast hospital in Australia, has already indicated that he wanted to attend the inquiry.
Russo said he would speak to Haneef to discuss his future after his return to Bangalore from Mecca, where he had gone for the annual Haj pilgrimage, 'The Age' daily reported.
He said his client would not consider any legal action against the federal government until after the results of the inquiry are released.
"The inquiry will probably impact on whether he has a claim against the federal government," he said. "There has been some talk that the government should make a payment to him prior to the inquiry but that did not come from us."
Russo said Haneef had also sought re-registration from the Medical Board of Queensland so that he can work again on the Gold Coast.
"We are really in a holding pattern until the government gives us an indication to when the inquiry will be held," Russo, who is holidaying in Italy, was quoted as saying.
"I think it is really important he is back here when the inquiry is on - whether that is working back here or he just comes back for the inquiry," he said.
A date has not yet been given by the federal government.
Russo said the Indian national was still keen to build a life for his family in Australia and had not yet looked at other countries for work.
"(Investigating other countries) may be something that goes into the mix when we work out what is the best thing to do for him," the lawyer said.
"I've sent a letter to the Gold Coast Hospital saying he is interested in a job," he said. "I think things will become a little more definite soon."
Queensland Health said it would consider any application from Haneef to be employed in Queensland. He must first obtain a work visa from the federal government and appropriate registration from the Medical Board of Queensland.
Russo also praised the new Kevin Rudd government's handling of the Haneef case. "They are not the ones who created the issue."
"They have dealt with it in a speedy and businesslike fashion, and we don't have any really issue with them but are anxious for them to announce the inquiry date," he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}