The elderly couple allegedly assaulted by a detained immigrant released during a violent home invasion say they feel “sad and humiliated” that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese turned down the opportunity to visit them while he was in town this week.
Perth couple Ninette Simons, 73, and her husband Phillip, 76, were allegedly robbed and assaulted at their Girrawheen home on April 16 by three men, including Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, one of the 154 detainees released by the High Court in November.
Simons expressed disappointment after Albanese told reporters on Tuesday he would not take time from his visit to Perth to meet them.
Nor has he been contacted by phone, something the couple would have appreciated.
“We feel a little sad and humiliated that we were not as important and not on your agenda today, despite what we have suffered,” Ms Simons said. Western Australia.
Ninette Simons, 73, who was allegedly beaten and robbed by a free immigration detainee, expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister was able to take the time to see them during a trip to Perth.
“Everyone is scared because the detainees walk freely through our community, I could have done with some time, it would have been nice to be calm.”
Mrs Simons, who was left with severe bruising to her face after being repeatedly punched while her husband was tied up and jumped on him, said the couple were still suffering from the trauma of the alleged attack.
Every “little noise” scares the couple, Simons said as she asked for financial help to make their home safer.
‘We have worked hard all our lives and paid taxes. “I have never received help from the government, except now that we are pensioners,” said the cancer survivor.
“Since we have lost everything, we don’t know what to do.”
Anthony Albanese said he was not planning to see the retirees, but that “his heart went out to them.”
He said politicians had focused on “blaming” each other rather than helping the couple.
The Simons were left with almost nothing after the accused criminals, who posed as police officers to gain access, allegedly stole $200,000 in cash and jewelry.
On Tuesday, Albanese admitted that visiting the couple was not part of his planned itinerary, despite being in town.
‘I have made it very clear that Ms Simons has been subjected to a terrible crime. Indictments are now before the court for the three alleged perpetrators,” Albanese told reporters.
When asked if he would apologize to Ms Simons for what happened, the Prime Minister said his “heart goes out to her” and that “no one should be subjected to violence like that which Ninette Simons had to endure”.
Ms Simons said Immigration Minister Andrew Giles was very apologetic when she bombarded him with questions during a phone call last week.
However, the only word she heard from local federal MP Anne Aly was an automated email response to her request for help strengthening the security of her home.
Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, was one of 154 immigrant detainees released by the High Court in November.
Doukoshkan, 43, appeared in court in February for alleged violations of curfew, which was a condition of his release.
The charges were later dropped due to an administrative error.
Commonwealth prosecutors did not oppose bail, although the government previously claimed they had.
In March, the federal government’s Community Protection Board, a body formed to supervise released detainees, ruled that Doukoshkan did not have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet that tracked his movements.
Albanese defended Giles against accusations that his delegate should have overturned this decision.
Doukoshkan was released on bail by a Western Australian court several days before the alleged attack after being charged with a drug offence.