‘Illegal’ sent back to US
But return to Australia OK if mess sorted Insignia inspires artwork
A JULATTEN man locked in a bizarre case involving a Federal Government minister, false identity and past allegations of a hippie drug importation ring has agreed to be deported to the US.
Patton Eidson, 73, has been kept under lock and key at the Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation Centre since officers swooped on his home about 50km north-west of Cairns in May.
He has been admitted to hospital twice since his arrest due to chronic obstructive pul- monary disease and has now agreed to voluntarily return to his home country. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has guaranteed to fast-track Mr Eidson’s return to Australia on the proviso he can get a US passport and does not run into legal issues in the interim. Two medical escorts will accompany him on the flight back to the US on August 31.
In an email from detention, Mr Patton said his daughter, Maya Eidson, had an Administrative Appeals Tribunal hearing today in an effort to have her own citizenship reinstated.
If unsuccessful, she will remain a “legal non-citizen” – able to remain in Australia but unable to return if she leaves.
“So, if my health deteriorates when I am in the states and I am unable to return, she would be unable to come and see me and return to Australia to her own family,” Mr Eidson said.
“When we have our final visit together at the detention centre it could well be the last time we will ever see each other. We are praying that the judge at the appeals hearing sees how ridiculous this citizenship revocation has been.”
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, who has been advocating for the popular former businessman, said this was the best situation available.
“During my last discussion with him, he believed everything was sorted out in the states and he should be able to be on his way back in a couple of months. I’m hoping we can get him back here by Christmas,” Mr Entsch said.
Mr Eidson entered Australia under the false name “Steve McGoldrick” with his late-wife and 16-year-old daughter in tow in 1986, fleeing the US with a drug conspiracy charge hanging over his head. It is believed the US no longer wants to pursue the allegations.
In any case, it made no attempt to have Mr Eidson extradited when his true identity was finally exposed in 2013.
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