This week marks more than 80 days of continuous protest by local refugees stuck in limbo without a visa.
A group of locals—some born in Australia, others who’ve called it home for over a decade—plans to protest the federal government’s inaction indefinitely.
Woodridge’s Shaksana Kamalathas, a high school student with dreams of becoming a nurse, came to Australia as a small child.
Others arrived as adults and have embedded their families in Australian culture.
But because of current laws, none of them are citizens – not even those born here.
Many are living without visas, meaning they can’t even work.
Logan-based advocate Mark Gillespie from the Refugee Action Collective said the refugees were stuck in a visa limbo due to the previous government’s “fast track” processing system.
The current government has partially reformed the system, paving the way for many to become citizens, but thousands have been left behind.
“The refugee protest is part of a national campaign designed to bring attention to the plight of about 10,000 refugees who are living in limbo in the community on bridging visas,” Mr Gillespie said.
“These bridging visas need to be constantly renewed and from time-to-time refugees have no work rights or Medicare cards.
“Their children can’t study beyond high school level, and they are constantly stressed worrying about their future.
“Some have been living in this state of insecurity for twelve, sometimes fifteen, years.”
Aged 18 and in her final year of high school, Ms Kamalathas came to Logan when she was six years old.
She said her temporary visa status prevented her from attending university, limited her access to employment, and was a roadblock to achieving her dream of becoming a paramedic.
It also means she and her family must re-apply for a visa every few months.
“We don’t have a future ahead of us,” Ms Kamalathas said.
“Everything, all our dreams, have stopped.
“I’ve lived here my whole life here, and it feels really upsetting that the government doesn’t want to give us a visa.”
The group of locals set their vigil up outside federal treasurer and Rankin MP Jim Chalmers office in Logan Central 79 days ago.
Some of the group is camping at the office carpark through the night.
They intend to stage their protest “indefinitely”.
