Death of Sydney’s ‘birdman’ described as ‘beyond tragic’ by Albanese government
Summary
A young homeless man from Nepal named Bikram Lama was found dead near Sydney’s city center after reportedly living on the streets with expired visa status. Australian federal and state housing ministers said his death shows the need to better support non-resident homeless people who often cannot access housing, jobs, or healthcare. The government and community groups are discussing ways to close these support gaps.Key Facts
- Bikram Lama, 32, came from Nepal to study in Australia but his visa expired and he didn’t renew his passport.
- He was found dead on 7 December 2023 near St James tunnel in Sydney, where he had been sleeping rough.
- Police believe his body was undiscovered for up to a week despite the area’s foot traffic.
- Non-residents like Lama can’t legally work or access crisis housing, social services, or government assistance in Australia.
- State and federal housing ministers called the death “beyond tragic” and said it highlights service gaps for vulnerable non-resident homeless people.
- Community groups and local councils are urging governments to improve support and provide access to shelters and housing for non-residents.
- The Department of Home Affairs provides some help to certain visa holders but expects those who cannot stay legally to leave the country.
- The issue involves both federal responsibility for visas and state responsibility for housing services.
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