carlhall

Bulk billing doctors currently make what they feel is an acceptable income by seeing large numbers of patients for very short consultations of under 10 minutes (usually well under). Under the new measures, if the doctor spends 10 minutes or longer with the patient, the Medicare rebate will be cut from the current $37.05 to $32.05 (i.e. the 'new' $5 co-payment as advertised). However, the rate for a shorter consultation will only be $11.95.

 

With a greatly reduced rebate for very short consultations, far fewer practices will continue to bulk bill all comers. IMO, a good outcome.

I fail to see why ending of Bulk Billing would be a good thing? If a GP decides to Bulk Bill a patient then that his his decision and has absolutely no impact on you, so why should you be so against Bulk Billing.

My wife is severely disabled and and as such has a Disabled Pensioner card because she is physically unable to work. I am her full time carer and as such get an allowance to care for her. We both see our GP at least once a month, My wife in the last few weeks has had two X-Rays, CT Scan with another one scheduled for Tuesday next. Bowl cancer tests, ECG, ultrasound and various blood tests. If we would have had to make a $5 payment for all the visits and tests (as was the original co payment idea), we would not have visited the Doctor as much the tests would not have been done. We have a limited income and if we had been forced to make the $5 payment for each visit or consultation then we would either be eating a lot less or just a lot unhealthier because of financial restraints.

I find it utterly selfish of people to spout off about bulk billing when they do not understand or want to understand other peoples situations.

If we do return it will be in about 5 years and probably to the south west. Maybe Devon or Cornwall but nothing set in concrete just long term possibilities

You apply for a TFN (tax file number). I am not sure if you can apply in advance when I moved you had to be in Australia to get a TFN. You can work while you are waiting for it to be issued and any overpayment of tax can be claimed at the end of the tax year.

I have had several of these calls and kept hanging up but Last time I got this call I told them i did not own a computer. Fingers crossed they have not bothered me since. I have reported it to Scamwatch and to Telstra. Unfortunately the calls originate outside Australia and everyone seems powerless to stop them or take any action'

Another scam doing the rounds are cold callers who tell you they are affiliated to Telstra and can save you money on your next bill. These are trying to get your details from you.

I live in Hervey Bay but I do not think I would use McDonalds delivery service I am not a great fan but I do not think it any different to having a Pizza or a Chinese take away delivered. It should also bring a couple of positives....

A few more jobs for an area that has a relatively high unemployment rate. There are plans to open a second store at the Urangan end of town.

When someone has been drinking at home it will remove the temptation for them to drive to the local McDonalds.

It keeps the do-gooders happy because they can spend what seems like hours on TV telling everyone why its a bad idea!!!!

Hervey bay has a thriving tourist industry and I can see this really being popular with the tourists

I took a friend on sky rail recently, she didn't tell me she was afraid of heights until we had boarded the cable car, oops :laugh:

I take it you went in a normal gondola and not one of these with the glass bottom. I declined the offer of traveling in one of these. :twitcy:

Photo courtesy of Skyrail.....

Crocs on the Daintree River

and her friend

Small Church Point Douglas

Australian Coast Guard

Views from Sky Rail

Hotel pool

Hope the weather stayed fine for you we have had a very strange dry season up here so far this year.

Weather was good but a bit windy on Day Dream island, Cairns we managed to avoid the showers that were floating around. Wednesday afternoon was our only real free time but we avoided a shower by taking a well earned rest in the Hotel. Most of our group were pleased with how warm it was but we said it was decidedly chilly at times. I think around mid 20's. :biglaugh:

Do it!

 

As I did it many years ago, I went up on the coast road and returned on the inland road. Some great scenes to be seen

 

Cheers, Bobj.

I think if we ever do it again it will either be a road trip or fly up there. I would not recommend the overnight journey on the "Spirit of Queensland" The Railbeds are in my opinion a mobile torture chamber, Unfortunately the "Sunlander" service that we used on the return journey is much better but it is being scrapped this year. .

The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and it is something everyone should try to see. I took over a 1000 photos and I will be sorting them out for weeks. :wink:

Got back this morning from our ten days around Day Dream Island and up to Cairns, It was a very busy break but very enjoyable. Unfortunately I was unable to connect to the internet so I have waited till I got home to post some pics. We visited day Dream Island, Cairns, Port Douglas, Atherton Tablelands and Daintree river and the Rain Forest it was a very busy 10 days but well worth the effort to see areas I may never have another chance to see.

Might be a stupid question, but: Do you need a valid passport to live in Australia? My partner's current passport expires 6months before we will be eligible for Aus citizenship. If he doesn't leave the country, would we need to apply for a new passport at the embassy (long and complicated process) or can he just wait until he can get his Australian passport?

Generally I would think that you always need a passport, but is the visa valid if the passport is expired?

Hi

Keep the passport handy because his visa is tied to that passport number. You do not need to renew the passport unless you intend traveling outside Australia. I have only just renewed my UK passport and that was purely in case of an emergency in the UK. Once you become a citizen your visa is cancelled as citizens do not need a visa.

So do not stress a current Passport is not needed....

You have Xray to see if your free of things like TB. if you have a blood test ( I did not have one for spouse visa) Its a test for HIV or AIDS. Its not a drug test. The urine sample was checked in front of me at the doctors and it was a simple dip test for diabetes

I've currently three doonas on my bed :no:

That does not sound good for my holiday heading that way...... I could stay here and be cold. :smile::ssign10:

Hervey Bay is a great place to live, Despite what people say humidity is not a problem with the breezes coming of the ocean keeping the place warm and comfortable. Temperature at the moment is around 24c during the day and around 15 c at night. Your biggest problem would be finding suitable work here, unemployment is higher than average but if you can find employment prior to moving I cannot think of a better place to live.

If anyone does want to use gift vouchers for their friends and relatives in the UK there is a reputable company that I use called ... High street vouchers .com .. if you use Google you can find them. I have used them on many occasions to send vouchers to my Grandkids in the UK. a decent selection of vouchers for most shops and I am certainly not a director or employee.

Carl

Hi guys,

 

I recently moved to Australia in March and I was wondering if I could pick your brains for some advice. I want to send a present back to my Dad in the UK for Father’s Day but am unsure as the best way to do this. How does everyone else send presents back to the UK? I have looked at postage and it is really expensive. Father’s Day is also on the 15th June and so I am running out of time if I do decide to go that route.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

Adz

If you send something from Australia in addition to the postage remember that the UK import duty kicks in at around 15pound for imports 25 pound for gifts ? (not 100% sure of exact figure) If you send something in excess of the import threshold then your father would have to pay import tax on the item. Far simpler to order on line from a UK outlet.

If you get chance to travel before you retire then go for it. We intended to do the whole grand tour thing, but unfortunately my wifes health and stopped that idea. So if you get chance go for it and enjoy yourselves. You never know what is round the corner to stop you.

The visa rules were different when you had your visa, I suggest you contact a reputable agent to see what you best path may be to return to Australia. Some of the older visas may not require an RRV to return others may be more complicated. You need to contact a good agent ASAP.

I have a son and a daughter in the UK and since being here my son and his partner have given me two grandsons, his divorce from his first wife became final and my daughter has started what looks like a serious relationship with a rugby player.

How do I cope? I use Skype and the telephone. It can be hard at times as an example my son announced he was getting engaged but I only found out on facebook. My grandchildren know me at the granddad in Australia, I have never seen them face to face, only on Skype.

If you come here try to make plans to return and see your family every couple of years or when ever you can. but if you leave family at home you have to also come with the knowledge that despite your best intentions or plans circumstances may not let you return and you may not see you family again.

Good luck with your choice its not always easy or clear cut.

Hi Chaills, Take a look in your local papers and telephone books for the smaller computer business that are around. I just got a quote of $500 for a new computer from a small local company and i am sure if you contact some of the places that are around your area they can build you a computer. If you tell them your budget and the specs they will be able to help you with what you need. Stay away from the big shops they make a fortune in commission and you do not get what you want.

That is disturbing and I hope the perpetrators are caught and suitably punished.

But what i do find disturbing is the fact that a person sits in the UK looking through Australian news trying to find a story that will show Australia in a bad light. Now to me anyone who insists on only showing the bad side of any race or religion is racist and I am sorry but I feel you fit into that category perfectly. Perhaps one day you may realise how all your anti Australia comments appear to others.

Hi, I have recently renewed my UK passport and filled in the forms to inform immigration. Any ideas on how long it takes for them to change the details and associate your visa with your new Passport.

I am in QLD and sent forms to Brisbane.

Thanks in Advance

Carl...

I have to agree with Blossom, you must apply for the visa before you leave Australia.

An agent will advise you on the best strategy for your circumstances but you will do the form filling and document gathering with the agent guiding you and advising on what to do and when. A lot of people will get an initial assessment from an agent and then decide on what is the best route for them, some continue with an agent and others will do it all them selves. another alternative is to do it all yourself but get everything checked by an agent before you send in paperwork. Every application is different and it depends on you and how confident you feel as to your decision to use an agent or go it alone.

There initial assessment will normally include an idea of fees and costs involved.

On your CV you can put that you have full working rights on your spouse visa. you are not telling any lies as you will have full working rights. But that sounds better than saying You have full working rights on your temporary spouse visa s that gives the impression you will not be staying.