Topic analysis

Death of Sydney’s ‘birdman’ described as ‘beyond tragic’ by Albanese government

Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old Nepalese national who became homeless in Sydney after his visa expired and passport lapsed in 2023, was found dead in Hyde Park in December 2025—his body undiscovered for up to a week. Federal and New South Wales government officials, along with advocacy groups like St Vincent’s Homelessness Health and the City of Sydney, have described his death as 'beyond tragic' and highlighted critical gaps in support services for non-residents, who are ineligible for work, crisis housing, healthcare, or Centrelink, prompting calls to review homelessness policies and fund specialist services for this vulnerable group.