Does DIMIA take dumb pills?

This one didn't get too much of a roll in the press -

Immigration mistakes leave family in limbo
ABC Radio
PM - Wednesday, 30 November , 2005 18:40:07
Reporter: Brendan Trembath
In late late 2001, DIMIA sent letters to Canadian born Mark Eder and his wife confirming their application for permanent residency had been successful and they were eligible to apply for citizenship in 2002.
But then the department said the letters had been issued by mistake.
As the family persevered with a claim for residency it was wrongly informed that his son (who was 15 at the time) would need a background criminal check.
The latest advice from the department is that the family can pay hundreds of dollars for a review of its case or leave the country before Christmas.

I'll try to track down Mr Eder and see if he's still with us.