Independent MP Alex Greenwich has called on New South Wales Attorney General Michael Daley to order a coronial inquest into the death of Bikram Lama, a Nepali rough sleeper known as 'the birdman' for his affection for Hyde Park's pigeons. Lama's body lay unnoticed in bushes near St James station for up to a week, prompting widespread concern over systemic failures in homelessness support.
Lama, who came to Australia to study, lost contact with his family and was deemed a non-resident at the time of his death. Non-residents typically cannot access social housing, social security, healthcare, or work rights. The City of Sydney estimates about one in five rough sleepers in the inner city are non-residents.
Greenwich wrote to Daley on Friday, urging an inquest to examine policy failures that may have contributed to Lama's death. 'Like so many other people, I was just shocked and saddened by this,' he said. 'It's heartbreaking but this has to be a wake-up call for policymakers.'
Daley's office stated the coroner is awaiting a brief of evidence from NSW police before deciding whether to hold an inquest. The coroner has sought contact with Lama's family in Nepal.
Greenwich emphasised the need for answers, warning that without understanding the failures, similar deaths will occur. The call follows a recent Victorian inquest into the death of Sacha Lefebvre, which highlighted gaps in homelessness support and housing as a human right.
