ssiri

I've been flying with them since 1993. Recommend it. They are far better quality than others I've flown. It depends when you fly out every other year - 18 months or two years? I used to fly every two years, and I think the points lasted - you accrue two types - ones that allow you to upgrade, ones that move you to the next level of skywards membership. One lot does expire after a while (can't remember which ATM- sorry. But the others accrue for a period. It comes in handy when you start to fly 18 months to a year (which I now do, since 2015). Loving the upgrades and extras .

Absolutely. Spineless and other parts missing, come to mind. But here we are now. I hope their spines and other missing parts of anatomy get found, as the Dean Smith bill goes through the Houses.

No neither of those. It was called same sex vote or same sex marriage or similar.

For sure, but they are now properly a minority, and any politician now has a 'legitimate' public mandate to do the right thing (in their political eyes). As we know with Brexit, even with only 52% of the vote, crossing the public (who have spoken), is not a good idea, come Election Day. Even Abbots constituency resoundingly voted yes- the irony.

Curiously the same sex vote thread on CTF as far as I can tell, seems to have disappeared. Wonder why.[emoji848]

Not before time. I had every faith in the Australian people and how they represent their fair-go and equality values. Now the real work (getting elected representatives to do their job). The people have spoken (resoundingly). [emoji304]?️[emoji304]

Britain will never lose its heritage - which is centuries old. As the centuries continue to rack up, what went before just gets assimilated and included in its heritage and culture. Colonialism and the influences from the colonies were part of that heritage long before the first major wave of immigrants came on the boat to Britain - we are talking around abolition of slavery times here. For example if I go into a church, I don't have to burst into a Bollywood song and dance number, or Jewish, Polish, Somali, Caribbean or Muslim (insert immigrant or religious background here) song and dance routine just as if I go into a pub or club or hotel anywhere in the land. Unless it's a specific Bollywood other ethnic/ religious event of course. Similarly I don't feel the need to burst into the chorus of Jerusalem, or onward Christian soldiers (and don't see anyone else feeling the need to either) at a non-Christian event. My point is, British heritage and culture hasn't changed by the assimilation and aggregation of others it's only grown and been enhanced. Heck a Ruby Murray is just as British as Fish and Chips now - anywhere I go in Britain. And we (mostly) all love it. I lived in the Home Counties, before moving to Oz. It's very conservative (Tory) , affluent all the way to working class backgrounds. The people I mixed with (in one whole group, not individual groups I might add) were white, black, Asian (Far East and Sub continent), Christian, Muslim, Atheist, Hindu, working, and middle class to affluent. Straight and Gay. All these families and 'cultural' groups of people mixing in the one group- sense of community and helping each other out was still there - no segregation or barriers. They were all British and we all really got on. There were some Europeans and Africans who'd visit also. Non of this ethnicity based segregation I see here in the suburbs or country here in Sydney/NSW, did I experience in England, where I lived. This was in one of what could be called the whitest party's of the Country - Buckinghamshire - in a part of the country where 13.6% of the population were non white (compared to 14.6% across England). A very bastion of English countryside, market towns and rolling hillside (The Chilterns). No Chelsea London lefty, liberals/luvies here in Bucks - and it's not inherited wealth either. So I don't see this tragic dilution and subjugation of heritage and culture you talk about - in what is one of the most British parts of the country....instead almost everyone assimilating and getting on.

In the University/tertiary education sector - undoubtably. I'm not so convinced when it comes to UK primary and secondary schooling. The discus in the U.K. is now assessments, and narrow focus on some subjects (some of which are questionable as to why they even figure on the curriculum). The quality of GCSEs and A Levels aren't what they used to be - in terms of academic/critical thinking and the number of students who pass them with flying colours is evidence of that. Most Brits question their quality in comparison to the standards upheld, pre 1995 or so. I can't comment on the Oz system at all however.

Note that the second stage processing subclass 100 is due two years after you lodged your 309 (not date of grant). You can apply for stage 2 from outside Oz, but there are some requirements for Aus police checks, stat decs etc which are better obtained once you are settled in Oz. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

If you are looking to get an idea of house prices or to rent check out realestate.com.au. to see what you might be able to get and where. If commuting checkout transport NSW and Sydney trains. Groceries can be costly here, but check out Woolworths online or Coles online and that should give you an idea of what a food shop might cost. They also have Aldi here. Utilities costs may defer, for us it cost $100 per month for electric. Still waiting on the gas bill and water is included on our rent of $560 per week There is no CTAX for renters but there is for house ownership Salary taxation is phased here - there is no 21/40 type split in the U.K. There is a non taxed amount like in the U.K., but then it changes in brackets up to a high marginal rate ($130K maybe the threshold). Checkout the ATO (Australian Tax Office) website for details. Hope that helps Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

I live in Sydney and the NSW Government has information available about paternity and maternity leave in the state. Go to www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au and type maternity leave in the search option. Sydney is expensive, but it depends on your lifestyle, salaries and where you live. So it may or may not be an issue depending on your circumstances. If it's a really good job offer, you will probably be ok. Ours were. We moved in December. I commute 25 minutes into the CBD and we live comfortably. If you want further info, PM me, happy to help. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Good luck with your move. A lot has changed in Blighty (IMHO) for the better. On the flip side - there is however the current austerity Govt (pulled back somewhat), and let's not go into Brexit (there is a thread for that). A lot of dissatisfaction hence currently abounds. So it's good you are under no illusions - always best to be prepared. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Nice one [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Things are different in certain aspects for sure, but to my mind that's the point. If I wanted the same, Id stay where I was. I take your point though, it's best to have goals and expectations that are realistic and trying before buying may help with making that assessment (are the goals realistic or not). Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

During. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Good luck Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Our experience as of January this year has not been dissimilar to yours. Loving it. I tend to keep away from the whinging Poms in real life [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Not been in Oz long, but so far, loving in. What's not to like? Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Put plainly, if one is a miserable git in general, adapting to life in Oz and liking/loving it would probably be hard. This isn't to be confused with British pragmatism, which is entirely something else. Also being depressed is something else too, and needs addressing regardless of what country a person hails from. I've found people in Oz to be very friendly and positive people, but from what I've seen when life gives them lemons, they just get on with things. 'Such is life' being what they chalk it up to, as they move on. They don't seem to be OTT positive unlike US cousins - which to me felt utterly fake. So overall, an ok balance I think. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

As Chicken66 said, they are strict in Singapore and it is a risk. Especially since they state that a passport must be valid for over six months. I wouldn't bank on going there without getting advise and a rectification as appeals to 'common sense' at the immigration counter on the day, will likely fall on deaf ears. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Exaggerate much? Read what I said please, and stop tilting at imaginary windmills. I didn't say it would become non-existent, I said it needs considered reform, which it currently isn't getting. Despite this, those Drs and nurses on the ground are doing quite a lot, with very little, but it can't be sustained indefinitely. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Yes Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Depends where you live. I've had only good experiences (when I needed their services). The GP was another story though. Still if the Tories have their way, the NHS will be a shadow of itself. It needs reform in some parts, and pvt/public partnerships are all well, but it must be done properly. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

All the best, to you and your family to be - what ever you decide. [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

All the advise that had been provided, for sure. Don't delay or wait till he, his family or friends try to bully you into staying. Also as a web forum can't appropriate steps be taken to inform relevant parties? Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz