'We can't keep living like this': Family on temporary visa calls for compassion

Mark Green says his family can't continue to live like this.

For 10 long years, they have been on working visas in Australia after being headhunted to come Down Under from their native home in Scotland.

Mark has specialty skills in industrial solar installation, which few here have.

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"I've constantly been in work and paid my taxes along the way," he said.

"We want to become Australian citizens but the Australian government is making it very hard for us."

The federal government recently told the Adelaide family they must pack up and leave the country and apply from overseas.

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"So we sold everything we owned," his wife Kelly said.

"And prepared for leaving Australia, where we have been for a decade and have jobs and a community we love."

But after pressure from friends, supporters and media, the family was granted an extension to stay.

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They have now been given their third three-month visa while the Department of Immigration looks into their case.

"We can't keep living in 12-week cycles," Mark said.

"We have no furniture because we don't want to buy again only to be told to leave.

"My daughter, who is 20 years old, is not allowed to work full-time or go to university because of her temporary visa.

"We just want the minister for immigration to show some compassion, look at our case and make a decision so we can get on with our lives.

"We were invited to come to this country because they needed my skills.

"We love it here and it is now home after all these years.

"Please, minister, can we make a decision soon?

"We can't keep living like this."