Peter, most of us live on the other side of the world and have no idea what life's like in your neck of the woods. How about telling us what Australia is like? What about your Government? Do they give you freedom? Are you also being taxed to death? The cost of living, is it a good country to live in, etc. etc.

-- smitty (smitty@sandiego.com), March 12, 2000

Answers

hello.. Im glad you posted this smitty because I was just going to ask Peter a question myself.. My sister is insisting that she will imigrate to Melbourne this fall.. She doesn;'t know anyone there, she is from the U.S...she has no special skills or a business to establish there.. just a dream that she can go to Australia and get a job and live there.. I always thought the immigration policy to Austrialia was very tough..She has told my mother that she will bring her along with her!!! Please let me know the truth so that I can tell my mom what she may be facing....... thanks so very much.....

-- bank teller (nine to five@working. com), March 12, 2000.

Thanks Ron D. for your appraisal re OZ et al. and I endorse your sentiments. This is a great country and yet wildly untamed to European standards. It may even be the most free nation on earth, yet I doubt Americans can see it that way.

smitty, when members of my family emigrated to America they did so in poverty and for 'economic reasons' in 1869. We rather thought of Australia, 1966, as grant, and the farther away from the European sorrow the better. Because of my background I brawl with the bureacracy and our representatives. It is done in respect of our uniqueness at knowing each other well, although I think the new crop of 'born to rule' freaks are callous.

I've been posting a variety of topics on Australia to balance a forum that has certain notions of us. I'll finish now by stating we do make an artform of irreverence, love triers that never quite get there, knock the shitter out of those that do get there, and generally brew great beer.

People who wish to come here as emigrants will find this place wide open with new entry policies being announced. South Australia wants 20,000 new migrants next year as quoted by the Premier last weekend. The policy has been business focussed, but the reality is that if you have a sponsor you'd be fast tracked. I'll try and locate the relevant web files regarding this. Give's a few days.

Regards from OZ

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), March 13, 2000.

(OT?) Australia - just some observations

Australia - Regional migration - Skilled migrants sought

Sorry about the spelling in the post above. I'm rushing around like a lizard drinking, flat strap like Phar-lap, etc.If you come here you'll have trouble with the strine. Unlike you septics we talk proper...

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), March 13, 2000.

Dear Pieter,
Your family emigrated to AUSTRALIA!!! not America!
They thought it was Grand??? not what you had.
Missing your coffee mate!????
Scarlet

-- Scarlet Breasted (scarletbreasted@hotmail.com), March 13, 2000.

Dear scarlet breasted,
As I know who you are (hehe) I shall resist the temptation to stoop to those depths you have ascended to already (heheheh). My spelling is so bad even I am appalled by it. I'll plead temporary insanity through an infection caught mixing with Liberal members of Parliament, who I may add, are the most shining example of depravity known to mankind in the antipodean bog.

Goodbye! (hehehehe)

PS - Members of mob of last century settled in Virginia. It's a long story...

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), March 13, 2000.

Dear Pieter
Your ANCESTORS went to Amelika
Your family came with YOU to Australia
Where the Fresian mob scattered is besides the point
I was making a Poignant Point coz I knows ooo you are tooo!!!
Scarlet

-- Scarlet Breasted (scarletbreasted@hotmail.com), March 13, 2000.

To help Americans get a handle on Australia try these web sites for info:

Try this link to South Australia:

SA Goevernment Central with search engine

Index of Australian Immigration Offices around the World

Immigration SA

Immigration and Multicultural Affairs - Federal Gov.

Australian Migration Services

Your Pathway to a Presence in Australia

SETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

This last site says there's vacancies for;

AUTO ELECTRICIANS
ELECTRICIANS
FITTERS (especially Hydraulic)
DIESEL MECHANICS
REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING MECHANICS
IT PERSONNEL
PHARMACISTS
RADIOGRAPHERS
PANEL BEATERS
SPRAY PAINTERS (CARS)
MOTOR MECHANICS
PRINTING MACHINISTS
FURNITURE UPHOLSTERERS
CABINETMAKERS
MIDWIVES
CNC TOOLMAKERS
BOILERMAKERS

There are also some shortages for teachers in rural areas of South Australia. Lotsa vacancies in IT on the Eastern seaboard as well.

Also, in Australia if you have a problem with tax you're obviously doing something right, or you're too bloody honest.

Regards & Good Luck from OZ

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), March 13, 2000.