in Australia.

He says he was asked to provide evidence of his income, such as pay slips and group certificate.

David says he was unemployed when he first arrived and was asked to pay the minimum that can be taxed, which he claims is what they ask people on Centrelink benefits to pay.

He says failure to pay the tax has repercussions.

"The problem is if I don't pay two per cent, I'm not going to get any services either from the Consulate or the government," he says.

David says this would make it difficult to travel back to Eritrea to visit close family members.

Eritrea gained independence in 1993 and has been governed by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice ever since.

The Eritrean government has been widely criticised by human rights groupsOmer Mahmoud says he hasn't seen any such communication from the Australian government.

"Until it is officially (told) to us, I'm not going to comment on that."

In May 2013, Canada's Foreign Minister John Baird kicked out Eritrea's consul in Toronto after he was accused of ignoring repeated warnings to stop imposing the diaspora tax.

"I think declaring the Consul General persona non grata is a significant diplomatic step which underlines our significant concerns with the activities that were inconsistent with his diplomatic role." Mr Baird said at the time.

David, and other members of the Eritrean community in Australia, say they would like Julie Bishop to do the same.

Ms Bishop's statement says the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has asked federal, state and territory law enforcement authorities to inform it