Aboriginal leaders react to Shane Martin’s indigenous claim after entry denied at Sydney Airport

Exiled former bikie boss Shane Martin claims he should be allowed to return to Australia from New Zealand because his grandmother is Aboriginal. But this is what indigenous leaders have to say about the “astonishing” claims.

Dustin Martin’s dad Shane was first deported to New Zealand in 2016.

Claims Dustin Martin’s father — ex-bikie boss Shane Martin — has Aboriginal heritage have been disputed by indigenous leaders.

The Richmond footballer’s father claims he should be allowed to return to Australia from New Zealand because he says his grandmother is an indigenous woman from Tasmania.

Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania chief Michael Mansell disagreed Martin could lay claim to being a descendant.

“Good luck to him … there’s nothing there,” Mr Mansell said.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre chief executive Heather Sculthorpe said his claims were “astonishing”.

She said she was aware of Tasmanian groups issuing certificates of Aboriginality for money.

Last week, the High Court ruled people of Aboriginal heritage — even those born overseas — could not be deported.

Shane Martin flew into Sydney on Sunday night but Border Force officials sent him back to New Zealand.

The proud dad has had to support his Richmond star son from afar. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton slammed the door shut on Mr Martin returning to Australia from New Zealand.

“Part of the reason that we kick out people with severe criminal histories, like Mr Martin, is that we want to make sure that people don’t commit crimes again in our country,” Mr Dutton told Nine on Tuesday.

Mr Martin says he has an Aboriginal grandmother from Tasmania. But Mr Dutton isn’t buying it.

“I think he’s got a spurious claim but that is a claim for him to put,” he said.

Mr Martin was deported to New Zealand after living in Australia for 20 years because of his links to the Rebels bikie club.

Mr Dutton is confident the court decision won’t create an avenue for the father of Richmond’s Brownlow medallist to return.

“We have now cancelled the visas of about 5000 people, many of them involved in outlaw motorcycle gangs, who are the biggest distributors of amphetamines, ice in our country, destroying lives,” the minister said.

Shane Martin and his family watching his Richmond superstar son play in Auckland.

“It’s a very clear message that if you come to our country as a Kiwi, a US citizen, as citizen of anywhere else in the world and you commit crimes in our country, you can expect to be deported.”

It comes after Australian Border Force officials stopped Mr Martin from entering the country when he flew into Sydney Airport on Sunday night.

He was ordered to fly back to New Zealand Monday morning.

Border Force said the removal of “non-citizen” Martin from Australia “was conducted lawfully”.

“The removal followed a decision by the Federal Circuit Court to dismiss Mr Martin’s application for an injunction seeking to prevent his removal from Australia,” it said.

“Mr Martin’s claims of indigeneity will be considered along with any evidence in support of these claims while he is offshore.”

Last week the High Court, in a landmark ruling, found people with Aboriginal heritage — even those born overseas — could not be considered “aliens” and could not be deported on character grounds.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said of Martin’s removal: “Border Force took swift action today (Monday) and good for them for doing their job.

“I’d expect them to continue to do their job.

“But as for the government, we will be carefully considering this most recent (High Court) judgment and the implications.”

Martin’s deportation was the latest chapter in the saga involving the father of the Richmond star, after his Australian visa was cancelled by the federal government in 2016 and he was deported to his native New Zealand.

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Border Force said Martin, a former top-ranking official in the Rebels motorcycle gang, would get the chance to argue his case to return to Australia.

However, he would have to do so while in New Zealand.

Footage aired on Seven News last night showed Martin at Auckland Airport, where he was asked about his attempt to return to Australia and whether he had any Aboriginal heritage. Martin has been contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Aboriginal leaders react to Shane Martin’s indigenous claim after entry denied at Sydney Airport