Russell Packer deportation threat ’pathetic’, says judge and former NRL judiciary chairman

DISTRICT Court judge and former NRL judiciary chairman Paul Conlon says it would be “a disgrace” if Russell Packer was deported back to New Zealand.

Russell Packer returns to football and makes debut for the Cutters.

District Court judge and former NRL judiciary chairman Paul Conlon says it would be “a God damn disgrace” if Russell Packer was deported back to New Zealand.

Packer continued training with the Dragons amid fresh speculation that Immigration Minister Peter Dutton was about to cancel his Australian visa.

That would effectively destroy any hope of Packer making an NRL return in 2016 after he was recently given the green light by the game’s governing body.

While a spokesman for Mr Dutton said on Friday it could still be a fortnight before the full case is sent to the Minister for a decision, the Immigration Minister is currently in the process of deporting dozens of Kiwis who had their visas torn up for violent convictions.

But Conlon argued Packer was a first-time offender who had showed why he deserved a second chance since being released from jail in January.

“It is quite extraordinary that they would be thinking of deporting him,” Conlon said.

“That is just pathetic. Is this some chest-beating exercise on behalf of somebody now, is it? If this happens it is just a God damn disgrace.

“From what I know this is a person who before he pleaded guilty to his assault occasioning actual bodily harm had no prior criminal convictions in Australia or New Zealand.

“He is a first-time offender who has suffered a very significant penalty (one year in jail) and it would appear that his acceptance of responsibility for his own rehabilitation has been nothing short of outstanding.

“This is the type of thing that the criminal justice system hopes for.

“One of the great hopes of the criminal justice system and the corrective service system is that people can be rehabilitated and be a worthwhile member of the community which is exactly what he is achieving.

“And for that they want to deport him? It is just ridiculous.”

Russell Packer has impressed while training with the Dragons.

Asked if everyone in society was subjected to the same standards, Conlon said: “There is no way.

“I am aware of people who have committed much more serious crimes than that who haven’t been deported after they have served sentences.”

A reformed addict of alcohol and prescription drugs, Packer’s troubled upbringing has been well documented but those close to him at the Dragons say the married father of two has totally transformed his life since his conviction.

After being named in the NSW Cup team of the year, only this week Packer graduated from Wollongong TAFE with a Certificate IV in Community Services.

He also worked as a mentor for the ‘Score Dragons’ program that took out the NRL’s Community Program of the year and is now studying for a university degree where he has so far received outstanding results.

It is believed that Packer’s conviction has already cost him in the vicinity of $1 million.

Russell Packer has excelled in his rehabilitation, with studies outside of the game.

“I have seen how much hard work he has put in outside of these grounds and the community. He is just a genuine good guy,” teammate Joel Thompson said.

Thompson himself overcame his own troubles in life to become one of the most respected players in the NRL.

Asked if he was disappointed that Packer could now face further punishment, Thompson added: “As a friend and as a player I know what he does off-field and the type of person he is.

“I would be a massive shame to see him go. We love him here.”

St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust said the club respected the Department of Immigration process and it would be inappropriate to make comment because the matter was still being considered.