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    Labour win the Tasmanian State Election

    Liberal, with 39% of the vote (112,935 votes), get 10 of the seats
    Labor, with 37.1% of the vote (107,437 votes), get 10 of the seats
    Labor, having suffered a massive 12.1% swing AGAINST them, is deemed the winner, and retains government.




    Labour win the South Australian State Election

    Liberal, with 42% of the vote, get 40.0% of the seats
    Labor, with 37% of the vote, get 53.3% of the seats


    Mortgage Interest rates

    CUA, Australia's largest credit union reduced its standard variable rate by 0.25% to 6.37% effective 19 March 2010.

    2010 State Elections in Australia

    Private school student numbers boom

    According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of students over the last 10 years has risen by 234,700, with the following breakdown between State and Non State schools:

    • 26,200 in State schools
    • 208,500 in Independent schools

    In 2009 there were 3,461,334 students attending full time school.

    • 65.69% in State Schools
    • 34.31% in Non State schools

    Primary School student Attendance

    • 69.44% State
    • 30.56% Non State

    Secondary School student Attendance

    • 60.65% State
    • 39.35% Non State


    Unemployment

    The number of Full time employed people in Australia rose by 45,123 from 7,655,080 in January 2010 to 7,700,203 in February 2010 in 'Original data' figures. An increase of 0.59%.

    The number of Full time employed people in Australia rose by 11,438 from 7,648,303 in January 2010 to 7,659,741 in February 2010 in Seasonally adjusted figures. An increase of 0.15%.

    The Australian unemployment rate was at 5.3 per cent in February, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points from the downwardly revised 5.2 per cent observed in January 2010.

    The ABS reported the number of people employed in February slightly increased, up 400 people to 10.971 million, seasonally adjusted. The rise in employment was driven by a rise in full-time employment, up 11,400 people to 7.660 million that was offset by a fall in part-time employment, down 11,000 people to 3.311 million.



    Australian Average Wages

    Trend Estimates reported from the ABS (before the addition of the 9% Super)

    November 2009

    • Full-time adult total earnings $1,270.60 pw ($66,071 pa)
    • Male Full Time Total Earnings $1,378.00 pw ($71,656 pa)
    • Female Full Time Total Earnings $1,096.00 pw ($56,992 pa)

    2008/2009 Migration Statistics

    According to figures released by the department of Immigration, the following applied to migrants from the United Kingdom to Australia, during the 2008-09 year.

      21,545 Total settler Arrivals
      6,160 Total Permanent Departures
      Based on that, a total of 28.6% returned at some point in their lives, and the following was also reported.

      1,087 left within the first two years
      976 stayed for between 3 and 5 years
      4,097 had stayed for 5 or more years

    Australian National Education Curriculum

    The draft K-10 Australian Curriculum in English, mathematics, science and history is now being finalised for uploading to the Australian Curriculum Consultation Portal.


    Qld childcare website to name and shame

    9th February 2010
    A new website to name and shame Queensland childcare centres in breach of standards has gone live.

    The website would provide detailed information about childcare services that had seriously or repeatedly contravened government standards, Premier Anna Bligh told parliament


    English speaking migrants will jump the immigration queue.

    February 08, 2010
    SMARTER, English-speaking migrants who want to work in Australia will jump the queue under a major immigration shake-up to be announced today.


    Immigration Rule Changes February 2010

    On 8 February 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced changes to the General Skilled Migration program.

    These changes can be seen at:

    The main area of changes are:

    • a review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
    • the replacement of the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in the second half of 2010
    • offshore GSM visas made before 1 September 2007 would be capped and ceased
    • priority processing arrangements
    • skills assessment requirements for GSM applicants nominating a trade occupation.


    Family Tax Benefits stopped for non lodgement of Tax Returns

    From January 2010, people who have not lodged tax returns may have their Family Tax Benefits stopped automatically.


    Changes to the Building Trade Licence Legislation - QUEENSLAND

    1st December 2009,

    From 1 December 2009, there will be a change to building licensing regulations in Queensland. Most work valued at $3,300 or less is now exempt from BSA’s licensing requirements. The previous threshold was $1,100.


    Smoking in Cars banned in Queensland

    From the 1st January 2010 smoking will be banned in Queensland, in cars carrying children under the age of 16. Fines of $200 will apply.


    CPI - Consumer Price Index

    The ABS reports that CPI for the September Quarter 2009 rose by 1.0%

    This compares to a rise for the previous quarter (June 2009) of 0.5%.

    This will almost guarantee another 0.25% rise in Interest rates in November, with maybe even a 0.5% rise.


Some Recommended Pages


    2009 Australian Education Report

    The 2009 NAPLAN Education report can be seen in PDF File at:

    Queensland, with the average age of children tested being up to 9 months younger than other States, again came near the bottom, but beating WA and NT

    More information at: .../australian-education-naplan-2009-results


    Shopping in Australia

    Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, and all the major cities have great shopping, so take some time and explore the CBD. If you're looking to buy a gift for for someone, especially something last-minute, the Complete Basketcase delivers gift baskets and hampers all over the country, and to the UK.

    More.... Shopping in Australia


    Books about Australia

    There are many books about Australia, and Amazon have an excellent choice. Some of these are a must read for people wanting to find out more about Australia.


    Driving in Queensland

    Most speed limits in built up areas in Brisbane are 60kph (37.5mph), but this reduces to 50kph (31.25mph) in many residential areas. Other roads may be 80kph (50mph), with 100 kph (62.5mph) or 110 kph (68.75mph) on the Freeways/Motorways.

    More.... Driving in Queensland


    Australian Crime Statistics

    Mercer’s Worldwide Quality of Living Survey

    Free Phone Calls

    Free phone calls to the UK ? and Free Phone calls all over Australia ?
    and Free Phone calls to Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, and USA ?
    and more...


    Need a Visa for Australia ?

    Not sure which visa to apply for ?
    The Australian Government immigration website now has the FIND A VISA WIZARD at:
    http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/Answer the questions and the wizard will point you in the right direction...
    More ... Australian Visa's



      Note:

      Immigrant = for most part an immigrant will commit themselves to becoming a part of their country of residence.

      Expat = usually only temporarily placed in the host country & most of the time plan on returning to their home country.






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