Graham Fletcher

I went back to England about 6 years ago with my daughter. She was only 11 when we emigrated and had a view of England based on holidays, she felt like she needed to check it out and see where she belonged. We arrived in June, she was back in Australia by November! I had to wait until January when my lease ran out but got straight on the plane the day it expired. All the reasons for leaving in the first place were still intact and we both have absolutely no intention of returning to England ever again! That said, at least the truth about her feelings have been fully examined! At 26 and now a mother I am sure she will be an Aussie forever, just like her brothers (both in their 30's) who have no interest in going back either By contrast, we have no family in Australia and loads in England, modern technology just makes keeping in touch so easy that it has become less relevant where you are for real relationships

After my divorce I found it hugely difficult, not being a great frequenter of bars and pubs. I tried the dating apps and everyone I like didn't like me! I may be just too ugly for visuals! I actually met my current partner in a hairdressers, she was working and I was excessively hairy. Met her at a local bar after she knocked off work and the rest is history. At least she couldn't complain about my hair style!

thanks for the advice!

I'm a few hours further out from you and there is NOTHING here! lots of farmland and emptiness. but that's what happens when you chase the big money! hahaha

fair play, but you did need it over there. The US, Europe, South America and the UK should have as many as can be found, Australia can wait

5 days lost for no reason whatsoever. whilst many agreed (who doesn't like five days off work?) the damage caused economically would be tens of millions of dollars. when local taxes start going up, which they will, that approval might start sliding

Initial strategy, yes, current strategy, ridiculous. Look at WA - one case and the Premier closes down the lives of 2 million people in the city and all of those traveling to and from. Massive overreaction with no justification. The months of open economy are the very reason panicking Premiers need to sit down and shut up

wasn't picking on Scots Toots! as I said, it's all about what you personally prefer, Australia has every option!

I am not suggesting following anyone, simply not shutting entire cities down for the odd outbreak that can be contained and dealt with. There is almost zero chance of anyone not at a quarantine hotel getting Covid so why shut down a whole city?

You misunderstand my point - with virtually no deaths in the last 4 months, almost complete elimination with the odd outbreak from arrival hotels - the continuation of panic lockdowns, border closures etc.. have caused the unnecessary damage. There is no reason whatsoever to close down huge chunks of cities every time someone tests positive. The tracking and tracing process quickly eliminates the risks, individuals quarantine and the rest of us get on with our lives. We have been incredibly lucky but we need to stop being so scared and get back to fixing the economy and getting everyone back to work, not hiding inside when someone 10km away has the sniffles

This is a really personal question so hard to call it. If you like Scottish weather then you would undoubtedly prefer not to live in the North, for example. I personally love the hot and sweaty tropical areas, far north Queensland (Cairns for example) and Darwin, Tasmania is far too cold but it is beautiful. Horses for courses

As soon as the Aussie government realised that the problem here was comparatively minimal they clearly went for elimination, at least the State Premiers did, whilst ScoMo waffled on about suppression. It's understandable, they all look like heroes now when, in reality, they have done significant and unnecessary damage to the economy. But what's new?

It does but after initially getting 1 year visas she now has a 3 year visa (one year wasted thanks to Covid) though each stay is limited to 3 months. The application process was a bit more difficult for the 3 year, she had to have a medical, but otherwise it is very simple. She has been traveling to Australia on them since 2014. Fortunately we are a bit older so we don't get hung up on periods of being apart for a month or two. Unfortunately the closing of the borders has kept us apart for about a year now - that has been a bit tougher - but it is an anomaly so we carry on

My significant other is a non-resident and only comes over on Tourist visas. She stays for two or three months then goes home for a month or two. The three year visa allows her as many visits as she wants. It's not how it's supposed to work but it cost about $300 including the medical rather than $7000+ for the partner visa! I plan to retire in a few years and move to her home country so it makes no sense paying out thousands when you don't have to - she has no intention of working here so it's simple. And a Tourist visa takes weeks to obtain rather than months or years!

have a trawl through www.seek.com.au too, it may give you some ideas on potential fields of work