![Fr. Giorgio Licini (right) with [https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/414846/manus-island-asylum-seeker-wins-right-to-stay-in-png Helal Uddin] and a refugee stranded in Port Moresby.](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--2I5smoVJ--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_1050/v1644313980/4MOEU9J_copyright_image_239720)
Father Giorgio Licini (R) and a refugee stranded in Port Moresby Photo: Giorgio Licini
A refugee stranded in Papua New Guinea for nearly ten years is pleading for a chance to live a free life with his young family.
Mathew made the plea on the eve of Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese visit to Port Moresby.
About 90 refugees remain in the PNG capital - victims of Australia's harsh programme to deter boat people.
Mathew said he'd happily accept moving to a third country, though that is dependent on approval from Canberra.
But he said Australia and PNG are not options for him.
"I just want to leave this country and go on and start my life, especially now I am with my family. I have a daughter, one year and nine-months old and I am worried about her now. Before it was me, now I have a family here. I just want to be leaving here and start my life again."
Meanwhile, a Catholic priest in Papua New Guinea said Australia's treatment of refugees in PNG is an abuse of power and human rights.
The general secretary of the PNG Bishop's Conference Father Giorgio Licini said most of the approximately 90 refugees still stranded in PNG as a result of Australia's tough stance on people arriving illegally by boat, still have no pathway to freedom, despite their refugee status.
He said about 30 may have a route out to a third country, such as the US, Canada or New Zealand but the remainder are stuck in Port Moresby.
"For the rest, who apparently have no rights to reside in Australia, because of the laws that Australia has made, or it is not clear as well what is their basis to reside in Papua New Guinea - it is an abuse of power and an abuse of human rights."
