KEY POINTS:
BRISBANE - The family of Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef want to sue the Australian government over the failed terror charge against him, his lawyer says.
Solicitor Peter Russo arrived back in Australia from India yesterday ahead of Wednesday's appeal against Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews' decision to cancel his visa.
He said Dr Haneef's family wanted compensation for lost income and damage to his reputation, though his client had not, as yet, asked him to pursue civil actions against the government.
"You've got to understand the Indians' mentality - the mentality is to sue," Mr Russo told ABC radio.
"I didn't realise that until I got over there and started talking to some of the relatives. But he specifically hasn't asked me to sue."
Dr Haneef was charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation for giving his SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed when he left the UK for Australia last year.
Ahmed is one of the men charged over failed terror plots in London and Glasgow on June 29 and 30 and the brother of Kafeel Ahmed, the alleged driver of the flaming jeep which crashed into Glasgow Airport.
Mr Andrews cancelled Dr Haneef's visa last month saying he had failed a "character test" through his association with his cousins.
Dr Haneef has publicly stated that he wants to return to Australia and his job at the Gold Coast Hospital where he can continue training to become a physician.
His fate rests in the hands of the Federal Court judge hearing his appeal in Brisbane on Wednesday.
- AAP
