Australia Ashes Cricket, Skill Shortages, RBA, House Prices, Private Colleges, VET, Regulation

Cycling to the Ashes.... 14 months...25000km on a bike... London to Brisbane ... with a cricket bat. Met this English bloke Oli in Budapest at our local, he has been staying at a friend's hostel and playing cricket. He is on his way by bicycle to watch the Ashes in Oz late 2010.

His Blog Cycling to the Ashes.

His Website Cycling to the Ashes.

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The head of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) says the Government should put out a welcome mat for the Sri Lankan asylum seekers docked in west Java. So far the Labor movement has been broadly uncritical of the Prime Minister's approach to the 255 asylum seekers intercepted by the Indonesian Navy. But Paul Howes, who is also the vice-president of the ACTU, has now broken ranks. He has urged the Government to seize the moral high ground and ensure there is no return to the divisive debate of 2001....

House hunters' bargain hot spot expands. Eleven-and-a-half kilometres from the CBD is proving to be the right distance for value seeking home buyers, according to a report that lists the 24 most attractive suburbs in Australia for investment opportunities. The Melbourne suburbs of Chadstone, Brunswick and Flemington made the list, compiled by St George Bank, because they offered the best mix of location, amenities and demographic mix for investors.


Victoria overtakes Queensland as Aussies' destination of choice....

More foreigners can stay while applying for visa FOREIGNERS whose temporary visas have expired and who are in a relationship with an Australian citizen or resident will no longer be forced to leave the country to apply for a visa to stay with their partner.

Townsville in Far Northern Queensland – The Tropics & The Great Barrier Reef.


Far Northern Queensland, Townsville, Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef Townsville has a warm climate within major tourism, mining and agriculture region of northern Queensland for more info see Townsville Online...

Who the bloody hell are we? Last week, Trade Minister Simon Crean announced that 'the Australian Government will spend $20 million over the next four years to deliver a new international brand for Australia.' In his press release, he asserts that 'we need a cohesive brand that captures the essence of Australia and underscores the quality of all that we have to offer in sectors such as trade, investment and education.'


Managing the risks. As expectations of an interest rate rise as soon as next month build, Jonathan Reeves says the future of Australian house prices remains unpredictable....