A Tamil asylum seeker is embarking on a 1000km walk to deliver Anthony Albanese a message.
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Neil Para has collected more than 10,000 signatures calling for people on bridging visas to be given permanent residency.
"This walk is for freedom - freedom for myself, my family and for many others who are in a similar situation," he told AAP before departing the regional Victorian town of Ballarat on Tuesday.
He plans to walk 30km a day to reach his target.
The Albanese government announced in February that 19,000 refugees would be offered a path to stay in Australia.
The decision resolved the status of temporary protection and safe haven enterprise visa holders who arrived in Australia by boat before 2014.
Mr Para and about 12,000 other people did not qualify, leaving them in limbo.
More than 10,000 refugees rejected under the previous government's fast-track process remain on bridging or expired visas.
Also missing out were more than 1000 people transferred to Australia from offshore detention in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
"Anthony Albanese said no one would be left behind under his leadership," Mr Para said.
"I am asking him for a fair go, a fair go for everyone.
"Politicians may exclude us, but the community accepts us, trusts us and supports us."
Mr Para arrived in Australia from Sri Lanka by boat in 2012 and sought protection with his wife and two daughters.
"I still can't go back to Sri Lanka," the 44-year-old said.
"The war may have ended, but there's still discrimination against the Tamils."
The Para family was initially detained on Christmas Island and spent several months in other immigration centres, before settling in Ballarat in 2013.
Mr Para's youngest daughter, now 10, was born in Australia.
His expired visa prevents him from working and he cannot access social security or Medicare.
The family survives on the goodwill of the community and advocacy groups.
"We are tired of living in limbo for more than a decade," Mr Para said.
"We have been in detention, the harshest time of our lives, but it still doesn't end."
The Department of Home Affairs said it would not comment on individual cases.
A spokesperson said the Australian government provided a permanent visa pathway to those who held or applied for temporary protection or safe haven enterprise visas and were found to be owed protection.
"Australia provides protection consistent with its international obligations," the spokesperson said.
"Persons who do not engage protection obligations, who are not awaiting a merits or judicial review outcome, and who have exhausted all avenues to remain in Australia, are expected to depart Australia voluntarily and may be provided assistance to depart."
Mr Para is a volunteer for Victoria's State Emergency Services and was named one of Australia's Best Neighbours in 2020.
"If I get a chance to become an Australian citizen, I will do more for the country, more for the community and more for the economy," he said.
Australian Associated Press
