A top Victorian bikie is stranded in Thailand after the Federal Government refused to renew his Australian visa.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton personally intervened to refuse a return visa for UK-born Daniel Roach while he was in Thailand on "character grounds", News Corp Australia reported on Tuesday.
A spokesman for Mr Dutton confirmed an application for a new Australian visa has been refused for a person with an alleged association with an outlaw motorcycle gang.
He declined to name the man.
The man is alleged to have had involvement in a range of criminal activities including drug offences through his alleged association with an outlaw motorcycle gang in Victoria, the spokesman said.
It is understood the bikie, who has a wife and two daughters living in Geelong, has hired an immigration lawyer.
Cases in which the government has cancelled visas on character grounds have dramatically increased.
Between last July and March, 371 visas were cancelled on character grounds, up 500 per cent on the corresponding period the previous year.
A further 85 applications for new visas were rejected on character grounds, a 40 per cent increase.
"I am committed to protecting the Australian community from those involved in serious criminal activity, including Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs," Mr Dutton said in a statement.
