Happy update on "unsung" Bondi hero
"Unsung" Bondi hero Muhammad Taha, originally from Pakistan, was stabbed in the stomach as he confronted killer Joel Cauchi on Saturday.
While recovering in hospital, he made a desperate plea to the government to let him stay longer in the country he now calls home, following the public praise and a confirmed visa extension for French national Damien Guerot, also known as “bollard man”.
Now, the security guard confirmed that the government would be granting him the opportunity to stay here, and Taha says he is honoured.
“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.”
Taha was on a graduate visa that was due to expire within weeks.
In an interview with SBS reporter Janice Peterson on Thursday night, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Immigration Minister Andrew Giles had spoken with Taha and expressed confidence that his 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," Albanese said.
The prime minister also told A Current Affair he was “very confident” the issue would be resolved on Friday.
“The minister has spoken with the gentlemen who is still in hospital, Muhammad, and we wish him every swift recovery,” he said at the time.
“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.”
He added that people like 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.”
Images: Getty/ news.com.au