Wollongong Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire is the latest Socceroo to pressure governments to release and resettle refugees in both on and offshore detention.
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Wilkshire and the Wolves have joined the #GameOver campaign set up by former Socceroo and refugee rights advocate Craig Foster.
The Wolves coach is passionate about human rights and has written letters to Illawarra MP's Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones to urge them to take action.
"We want to see all remaining refugees and asylum seekers detained on PNG, Nauru and around Australia get to safety so that they can rebuild their lives," Wilkshire wrote.
"Human rights are important to everyone. People seeking asylum in our country should be treated in a way that reflects our shared values of fairness, equality and humanity. They have suffered for more than seven years. It's time to call #GameOver."
Wilkshire said there were options to get people to safety, arguing that since 2013 the New Zealand government has offered to resettle 150 refugees per year.
People seeking asylum in our country should be treated in a way that reflects our shared values of fairness, equality and humanity.
- Wollongong Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire
"We are requesting you, as one of our local representatives, to write to the Prime Minister to let him know that there are thousands of Australians, including from your community, that want to see an end to the suffering experienced by those still detained," Wilkshire wrote.
"This can be done by the Australian Government accepting New Zealand's long-standing offer.
"It's time to call #GameOver and get people to safety. We want you to join us in calling for change."
Wilkshire's letters come as refugee rights activist group Refugee Action Collective Illawarra (RACI) gets set to hold a Palm Sunday demonstration in Wollongong.
This Sunday's protest aims to raise awareness.
Protest demands include; permanent visas for all refugees, income and welfare support, release of all refugees from detention, and an end to offshore detention..
The March 28 event is at Crown Street Mall amphitheatre from 12pm.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
