le petit roi

Yes; there's recent precedence :-) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2122654/EU-referendum-Ireland-rejects-Lisbon-Treaty.html http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/oct/04/ireland-votes-yes-lisbon-treaty The Netherlands also rejected the same Lisbon Treaty and like Ireland, they too were forced back to the ballot box a couple of years later.

If history has taught us anything it's not to ignore history:laugh: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana (1905)

You are in favour of a Single European Govt with a common political, economic and legal system for all?

Their limitations - are you inferring to their competency or that they cannot be the Govt of the UK? If its the former, they skillfully operated a minority Scottish Govt for the full term despite the naysayers and doomongers predicting that the sky would fall in on Scotland. They followed this up in the next election by attaining a majority of seats because they received more than 50% of the votes when many political commentators didn't think it was possible. Seems like a pretty good track record thus far; the SNP have had to work hard and stick at it over the last 10-15 years.

Tell that to the Irish and the Dutch people who, 16 months after rejecting the Lisbon Treaty on further EU integration in a 2008 Referendum, were forced to try again because they didn't give the EU and the Govts the right answer first time around. Is this not what Cameron et al are being critical towards the SNP should they decide they'd like another Referendum? As was said earlier, it is only democracy if your side wins. None of the political hypocrites deserve my vote nor will I give them credence from giving it to them. In not voting, I am protesting at the disenchantment I feel towards the candidates and credible polices offered to me. Also, when I say I don't vote, I would like to point out that its not through laziness or apathy. I actually do go to the ballot box and spoil my voting paper.

Voting - a pointless exercise. I can well understand why 'robust' protest is needed

Providing the item I'm ordering isn't geo-blocked and is available to purchase, I have never had any issue with UK companies accepting either my UK or Aus issued credit cards. The common theme between the 2 cards is that both are registered to the same Australian residential address. An alternative could be to register your credit card with Paypal and purchase via Paypal (if that option is available). Paypal is actually pretty decent to use for foreign currency transactions.

Unlike areas like Sussex, Lancashire, etc, Scotland is a country within a Union with its own laws, parliament, etc.; it isn't a county or region of England. So how does democracy now work in Scotland when the Tories start implementing policies which were rejected by the overwhelming majority of the Scottish people? You can't talk about democracy and then ignore the voice of an entire country by implementing polices they rejected at the ballot box.

Define democracy. Is it democratic for the parties to put out such a large amount of misinformation on each other and have agendas manipulated by their lackies in the news and media to such an extent that the truth is always a casualty. These same parties want you to believe their story instead of the facts - democracy is only an illusion.

If it were me, I'd first contact the NIC department in the UK who deal specifically with overseas residents. That way you will get information that isn't outdated and be told exactly what your father-in-laws position is and his entitlement to any future pension with regard his intentions. Alternatively, perhaps one of the registered pensions gurus on here know the answer they'd be willing to assist you with.

Cheers, I'll look at the link later. My concerns are, given I have UK based capital, I want to avoid converting GBP into $AUS, deposit it into an Oz share service account only to have the Aus share service convert it back into GBP to buy the shares. Similarly if I want to sell and have it back in GBP. That meas overall, quadruple transaction costs and an increased exposure to currency fluctuations. Probably academic for me now anyway if I eventually decide, as its looking likely, to go back in the next 2-3 months.

Scotland overwhelmingly voted for a party that had a clear concise agenda but they knew couldn't form the next UK Govt. While the Torys are the majority party at Westminster, the people in Scotland will now be looking to the SNP to use their control of the Scottish Parliament, the use of Westminster Parliamentary procedures and if necessary, the courts, to prevent and delay any new Tory laws which introduce further austerity measures. The Union is strained (and I could be wrong) but I don't believe Scottish Independence is back on the agenda within this Parliament as a result of these unprecedented SNP results. If Nicola Sturgeon revisits it within this Parliament with no due cause, her credibility would go down and I suspect, would pay a price at the next election. She is too politically astute to make the same mistakes as labour and lib-dems and override the wishes of the Scottish people. However, if the UK votes to leave the EU, in my opinion, that justifiably leaves it open for Nicola to revisit the question.

I agree. Even with the bank I've used exclusively for the last 25+ years and approaching them in person last year a) Changing from a 0.1% interest paying current account to a high interest account is proving impossible b) Despite having a 50%+ deposit with an excellent cash flow; getting a mortgage for a UK property has proved so far elusive I'd also be surprised if a UK shares account could be opened - unless you are going to be resident there for any part of a tax year. An online application I made earlier this year was rebuffed as soon as I stated country of residence as Australia. I'm past caring....but it does form one part of my disillusionment with Australia. I'm at an age where, although its not imminent, I need to consider retirement planning and I really don't want to tie-up all my capital and assets in a single country at this stage. I need that flexibility.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I need to upload a CV as part of the process to attaining Chartered status - which is an obligation for my current position. I think this would qualify as a work related deduction if I was to have an updated CV prepared.

I'm considering having my CV professionally updated. Is the cost of doing this tax deductible?

I think this hits the nail on the head which is swaying my current thinking.

I think the last letter from the NI office said I had 30 years NI contributions. From memory it did used to be 35 years and I'm not sure how many years are now actually needed for a full pension but I must be close to it. The NI conributions and the Oz Super will take care of itself; I only need to monitor because I realise any pension or Super I have is locked away and its not something I can access or use for at least another 10 years. I think my concerns lie in moving back and never finding a job again because that's what will provide the cash flow to do some of my hobbies and pastimes. The thought of not having a reasonable cash flow for the next 15 years is a concern which is affecting my decision. How realistic or unrealistic those fears are I have no idea and maybe I'm just being overly pessimistic. Although I can live relatively inexpensively, don't need the latest and greatest fads and consumer gadgets, some occasional cash flow is necessary to continue doing some of my hobbies and pastimes. I realise some people on this forum have far more difficult decisions to make about going back to the UK versus staying in Oz than the one I am currently trying to undertake. I have as many pros and cons for each scenario I paint. When it comes down to it, this is as hard a decision I have had to make in the last 30 years.

Putting this out there; if nothing else maybe provide me with some cathartic relief. I've just turned 50, fit, healthy. I've been employed since the day I landed in Oz 9 years ago but now undergoing a period of discontent as well. That discontent has been there for the last 18 months and since turning 50, its at the stage now where, to quote song lyrics, 'do I stay or do I go now'? I'm in a reasonably secure (ultimately non-fulfilling) employment position in Oz albeit there will be around 1500 redundancies nationally over the next 18 months. I'm also single with no kids and parents, most of my siblings and their families are in Scotland. Financially in the Uk I own a mortgage free flat that, worst case, I will be able to stay in immediately should I return. I continued to make NI contributions during my stay in Oz so that is up to date and have various cash savings in the Uk and Oz which I can access at any time. I understand that my Oz Super will not be accessible until at least 60 but I can't base my life around something I have little control of nor will I know what further restrictions will be on it at that time. There are aspects I love here and have made some good friends. However, the cost of property kills me. Currently, I can live near work and the city by renting however, there are several downsides to renting which impairs my enjoyment - though my landlord is excellent. If I wish to buy, it will cost several hundred thousand dollars for a small 2 bed unit and not really feasible on a single income. Moving further out, negates lifestyle choices and interests that I currently enjoy and I'd be likely stuck in a crap area in the arse end of the world. The arse end of the world is not really where I want to be, neither now nor older. Up until recently, I made life changing decisions based on what I wanted, confident in my abilities. Being pragmatic, I recognise that now my abilities alone may not be sufficient. Emotionally, I think I know what I want to do. Financially, it will be the biggest toss of the coin I could ever make. I also think being restricted to how I invest my savings is not helpful to me and contributes to feelings of frustration I have of living here.

It might take a week or so from submitting an application but obtaining a Medicare card will get you an easy 25 points. Showing the current lease/rental agreement will get you another easy 25 points. Within the week, take those documents along with your passport to the bank because you'll have met the 100 point requirement.

I recommend finding and using a good letting agent and good landlord insurance. Domestic building insurance won't cover the property if its rented out. Lose the emotion of it still being 'your house'. There are no guarantees that having it in perfect condition before its rented will ensure tenants keep it in good condition.

I may have missed it but what are the disadvantages and/or consequences of doing nothing and simply leaving it in the UK and collect the pension on retirement?

Can I sum it up then by suggesting that there's not much change for those Oz residents who have UK income (rental and/or non-rental) under £10,600 e.g no need to submit a UK tax return but the same UK income still subject to Oz taxation?

It's just a fancy way of saying 'I don't know'. :confused:

Thanks Alan. If my reading of the situation is correct I think I should be Ok for a year or two more before I get affected to any great extent. Currently if I were to sell today I have a significant Capital Gains loss here in Oz due to the exchange rate at the time of moving here was significantly more than it is now and the property was valued greater than todays vaue. It would take large rises in my UK property and/or in exchange rates for this to change. Coupled with the froth appearing to come off the UK property market now after a period of growth, any capital gains in GBP I will have made will be swallowed up by selling expenses should I decide to sell.

When you say 'market appraisal' do you mean valuation? I had a valuation done on my property within a few weeks of arriving in Oz a few years ago. What purpose does it serve having another valuation done around 5th April 2015? Thanks