robfromdublin

This thread needs a plebiscite. Can a mod add a poll?

I had no idea that in 2004 they legislated specifically against gay marriage! No plebiscite then. http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/2011-2012/SameSexMarriage#_Toc316885795 Up until then, no definition of marriage was included in Australian legislation

That's the whole problem. Australia will vote in favour, but some constituencies will vote against. MPs will then be faced with voting in line with their constituents wishes OR in line with the party's/Australia's wishes. So which way should an MP vote in such an instance?

I think this is a fine example of how neither major party in Australia actually gives a toss about governing properly. They have managed to turn something which is uncontroversial and has been widely adopted in the western world into a point-scoring contest. They are not even on either side of the issue, they are arguing over whether a vote is necessary or not, and not on the topic itself. If it came to it both parties would vote in favour, although some far-right members of the LNP would grumble about it. And yet somehow there's a massive debate between the two

I stand by my previous comments. It is an interesting and reasonable objective argument, but the question is not which is more closely aligned to traditional marriage using logic. The question is which of gay marriage and plural marriage more closely aligns with Australian values. I would expect gay marriage is much more closely aligned with Australian values than plural marriage.

Do you follow all such bible verses with such vehemence? How about showing some love for your neighbour? Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. Leviticus 19:19 When men fight with one another, and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of him who is beating him, and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts, then you shall cut off her hand. Deuteronomy 25:11-12 You may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die. Deuteronomy 21:18-21

why, starlight?

why, starlight?

That is an interesting argument actually. Objectively, it is just another form of relationship that can be recognised by the state or not. The marriage equality debate goes to whether gay marriage fits with Australian values. Most people in Australia would agree that it does (I'm guessing) but most people in Australia would vote against plural marriage because it doesn't fit with Australian values. Ultimately, that is what is in question and that is not objective, even though your friend makes a reasonable argument.

In Ireland there is a clear difference between what people will say on the street and what they actually do in the ballot box. I very much doubt anyone would vote to leave the EU, there's too much at stake for Ireland more so than the UK. Re work, most people seem to have it but the cost of living is huge especially in Dublin. The post-GFC crisis is over but a new housing crisis has begun with people struggling to get on the property ladder.

I sat mine on the 16th and it took three weeks. There may be a delay for the AFP at the moment?

I didn't get the test date as an email originally, but only because there was some screw up with my online application. I changed the test date over the phone and the updated date was sent through via email.

Date applied - 7/7/2016 City/Council area - Brisbane City Council Online / Paper - Online Date received the acknowledgement email - Not received. But got letter 20th July Date of the Citizenship Test - 16/8/2016 Approval letter dated - 31/8/2016 but received 5th Sep Date of ceremony - I'm expecting March-ish

Literally the first hit on google offers whinging as an acceptable, though less common, variant. Language is evolving peeps, which is why some words supercede others... http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Whinging At least you realised the irony Lambeth! I'll let the Pom thing slide...

So you are a Pom who is whinging about Whinging Poms' whinging? Beautiful.

My answers added in caps above. SORRY FOR SHOUTING!!

That's an unusual name, even in Ireland. Have you tried googling? I came up with this: http://peterjkel.tripod.com/id746.html (community centre, so looks promising) http://www.auscompanies.com/en/93554216709/NI-CHROCHUIR-SUIN (recent ABN registration under her name)

The public health system here is great and you'll have no issues going for an elective if that is your choice. Equally they are supportive of a VBAC assuming no risk factors, and for us they were very thorough in exploring the possible complications with the two approaches. I've been hugely impressed with the health service here generally.

I can't really offer any assistance but I just want to say I really feel for you in what must seem like an overwhelming situation. Your boyfriend sounds like a great guy who is looking out for you. That must be a great relief. List out everything you need to do in bite-size chunks and slowly work through each item. You can do this! And get your partner's parents involved. They are going to find out at some stage anyway, and you'll probably find they are a voice of reason when you and your boyfriend are stressed to the max.

Brisbane. In fairness to DIBP, the official did not seem like the most impressive person in the world. I'm sure it was just him being a moron than anything malicious. He just needs his boss to take him aside and tell him not to say stupid ****.

Absolutely. I need to resubmit my passport photo and straight after that is done I will submit a written complaint. I pointed it out there and then but of course the conversation is not recorded so I have no proof. Nevertheless, he may admit it when confronted.

On another note, I will be raising a complaint with the Department (once I get my approval letter!). The official actually asked me the following question: "Being Irish, have you been convicted of any public order offences, drunk and disorderly, or DUI's?" Amazing. I was dumbstruck and immediately pointed it out as being racist. The only reason I didn't ask to see his manager there and then was because I was yet to sit the test and had earlier had an issue with the paper my passport photo was printed on. I didn't want to be told to come back in a couple of months time so I kept my mouth shut and sat the test.

Date applied - 7/7/2016 City/Council area - Brisbane City Council Online / Paper - Online Date received the acknowledgement email - Not received. But got letter 20th July Date of the Citizenship Test - 16/8/2016 Approval letter dated - need to post in a new photo before I can get this Date of ceremony - I'm expecting March-ish

I nearly had mine rejected at the citizenship test this afternoon for being printed on the wrong kind of paper (normal printer paper). It was the right size and everything, it was just a scan of a passport photo. They relented and allowed me to post it in later but not before a bit of a negotiation and me pointing out that nowhere does it say what type of paper it should be.

Don't know about any dive clubs, but there is some excellent diving about (I haven't dived in years but only did it with commercial operators). I would recommend picking up this book from the Queensland Museum too, which details a lot of the species and environment you'll see. http://www.shop.qm.qld.gov.au/default/wild-guide-to-moreton-bay.html