Travelling to Australia is Going to be a lot Easier
Australia, September 1, 2010 – Australia, one of the best travel destinations around the world aside from Europe and UK and other parts of the world will now be very easy to travel to. Australia’s second largest airline company Virgin Blue has announced its partnership with Middle Eastern Carrier Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airlines, as it tries to match its flag-carrier Qantas in global reach.

 

Immigration Affects Australian Votes
Aug 25, 2010, CANBERRA – Today’s Australian election campaign has been closely influenced by Australia’s Immigration Policy, particularly affecting bigger cities like Sydney Population is becoming Australia’s one of the most perceived issues today and two of the major parties vying for upcoming election have already moved in to the right for immigration previously, and there has been a public backlash against a perceived confrontations on illegal immigration.

 

Mr Abbott pledged to pay long-term unemployed youth
August 19, 2010, Australia – Because of the high number of unemployment for youth in Australia, Tony Abbott expressed his new deal dole-breaker scheme to help people from relying much on their welfare and ask for support from the government, without working or exerting effort.

 

Australia helped the Pakistan Flood Victims
August 16, 2010, Australia – Fears that envelop Pakistan these days can’t possibly be ignored. The primary source of their land resource which is Agriculture is greatly affected with the impact of flood that is now making the Pakistan’s soil into a great turmoil. While the United Nations set their foot in joining forces to help Pakistan in preserving what’s left for them to move on after this disaster, Australia is also encouraged to set their aid to flood ravaged Pakistan country today.

 

Sensible Statement on Immigration
Aug 9, 2010 Sydney, AU – Today we are much grateful for Malcolm Turnbull, Liberal Member of Parliament for Wentworth when he recently spoke about the immigration policy at the Bondi Chamber of Commerce event.

 

UK English Test to be introduced to Spouses and Partners of Immigrants
August 4, 2010 Australia – Wanting to apply for a permanent residence in the UK? Then you have to pay attention. Starting from November 29 2010, there will be another implementation that UK government will have to enforced to fellow people who are wanting to cross, travel or migrate in the UK soil.

 

Australian’s Action on Border Security
August 3, 2010 – Due to the rampant exploitation of migration and the difficult issues that are not being addressed specifically in Australia and New Zealand, with the fear of placing the whole country in the hands of smuggling and trafficking activities, Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans had announced a new signed agreement in between Australia and New Zealand to further monitor the immigration security focusing on the border.

 

Increase on wages in Australia
Australia, July 28, 2010 – According to the recent report showed that the average yearly wages are predicted to increase by $8200 within the time frame of 3 years. Since the economy here at the land down under are still recovering from the shortage on skills employees. The June quarter Clarius Skills Index shows an up-and-coming skilled labour shortage is anticipated to drive a 5.4 per cent yearly increase in earnings over the next three years. Consequently, unemployment rates are predicted to get a lower percentage below 5 per cent by early 2011.

 

Delays on State Migration
Australia, July 26, 2010 – According to the latest report in the land down under stated that there’s been a delayed regarding their State Migration Plan in anticipation until September 1. Because of the forthcoming federal election in Australia, the Victorian State Government has advised that its State Migration Plan will be implemented no earlier than 1 September 2010.

 

The Australian Citizenship
Australia July 21, 2010 – From the recent report in the land down under regarding the Australian Citizenship that will be held during Constitution Day stated that will be coming soon. Australian immigration has announced just the other day that the Australian Constitution Day celebrations of 9 July 2010. Australian immigration. “Constitution Day on July 9 is the occasion that marks Australia’s creation as a nation, the day in 1900 when Queen Victoria gave royal assent to the Constitution. As we recognise this important date, Constitution Day is also a fitting occasion to welcome new Australian citizens who will contribute to Australia’s future.”

 

The Latest on US H-1B Visas
Australia July 19, 2010 – From the recent report that has been released regarding the US H-1B Visas stated that it is still available for applicants who are interested to apply. US H-1B Visas is one of the most practical for temporary US visa categories for entry of professional level specialty workers to the US. According to the report most who have been used this visas are Indian IT specialists who have gain their privilege to entry in the US using the H-1B visa. However even the US has been doing a good job when it comes to their economy there still some shortage with their H-1B visa.

 

Australia isolation over refugees
July 16, 2010 Australia – From the recent news that has been spread all across the land down under stated that the country has been undertaken regarding the plans for a regional asylum-seeker center despite a rejection by the parliament of East Timor. However according to the officials who set their unanimous vote stated that almost 34 of the impoverished country’s 66 parliamentarians, was not a government motion.

 

Latest on Australian immigration visa schemes
July 12, 2010 Australia – Recent reports regarding the Australian immigration visa schemes stated that these categories were suspended from 8 May 2010 to 30 June 2010: Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent; Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored; Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored.

 

Asians got the highest score in Australia high school test
July 7, 2010 – Recent news that has been spread stated that most students who got a higher score in Australian high school test are Asians. Children of Asian migrants outperform their English-speaking counterparts in the entrance test of selective top high schools in Australia. In accordance to the report from The Sydney Morning Herald that almost 42 perfect of children and students who are said to come from countries that English was their second language are doing well. From the Australia’s school annual discerning high school entrance test in 2009 these said students won a place in the privileged classification. However only 23 percent of students from English speaking countries got in.

 

The changes on UK Immigration Tier 1 Visa Cap
July 5, 2010 – According to the latest news stated that there have been changes regarding the UK Immigration Tier 1 Visa Cap. This indeed confirmed by the UK Immigration that the interim limit on Tier 1 (General) visas will start on 19 July 2010 (previously it was thought to be 16 July 2010). The permanent limit on Tier 1 (General) applications under the points based system will start in April 2011. They stated and announced for those who are interested on applying for the Tier 1 that they must think about and apply before July 19, 2010.

 

Skilled immigration reforms in Australia
Australia June 28, 2010 – Recent news that has been spread all across in Australia regarding some changes with their Immigration services. According to the Immigration Minister Chris Evans statement said this changes will certainly benefits the Western Australian business to come across the Migrants that they require to fill up their skilled labour needs.

 

Shares overtake intended for investors
Australia June 25, 2010 – From the recent report regarding the investment market in Australia stated that the recent share market crash showed that shares have closely outshine property in the past 20 years. This has been reported and claimed despite the previous financial crisis and the recent share market crash. However knowing that in the past 10 years now the residential property has been the top investment and that Australia relationship in property is still justified.

 

Australia on Chinese travel market
Australia, June 23, 2010 – From the recent news that has been spread the government in Australia has been claimed that they are actually spent almost A$30 million to market Australia and North Queensland in particular to the Chinese travel market. This is to be said to earn more and benefits for their profits and earnings, including on the market strategies is a forum on Chinese tourism to be held in Cairns; working with airlines including China Eastern, Air China, Qantas and China Southern Airlines to build frequency, capacity and scattering of straight air services all the way through Australia and the commence of Tourism Australia’s ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia’ campaign in China this coming August.

 

2010 Report on Australia Tourism
June 21, 2010 Australia – Regarding the latest news on to Australian tourism stated that they have been increase steadily even though the previous crisis hit them known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic in 2003. However last year the estimation on tourist’s arrival numbers dropped by nearly 2% yearon- year (y-o-y) to 5.34mn. According to the report the industry was hit by declining price competitiveness from its most important foundation on tourist destinations such as the UK and New Zealand as the Australian dollar build up, at the same time as the optional spending was reined in by a lot of possible tourists and business travelers. In accordance to the statement they have been more declining if not for their decisions to have fare discounting by airlines. These discounts are expected to be short-lived as global oil prices trend upwards, putting pressure on airlines’ profitability in 2010.

 

The released of the Australian visa cap
June 17, 2010 Australia – With the most anticipated country today when it comes to high quality universities and education which is said to be Australia. According to the latest report that have been speculations about that latest changes with their Australia visa application. Recently Australian immigration has introduced legislation, the Migration Amendment (Visa Capping) Bill 2010. This according to the report that will permit the Australian Government to have greater elasticity when setting immigration caps.

 

Advertising on tourism proves its worth
Australia, June 9, 2010 – From the latest advertising campaign in tourism Australia featuring kangaroos, koalas and tone-deaf locals singing in relation to the virtues of the country has been reported to be effective among the tourists. According to The Australian report this ad has struck a chord among international tourists.

 

Team Australia in World Cup 2010
Australia, June 7, 2010 – Australia midfielder Tim Cahill was positive that they will have a good chance of winning in the World Cup 2010. He said that they would probably win this time as the Socceroos’ preparation for the 2010 World Cup was so good so far. According to the report they have won from the play with the New Zealand and Denmark in international friendliest and training sessions are going very well too.

 

Easter Long Weekend breaks in Australia
June 2, 2010 Australia – People who love to travel will definitely enjoy the latest news regarding the Easter long weekend break. According to the news the Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia Easter will be having holiday deals and specials.

 

Australia tightened its policy on student visas
June 1, 2010 Australia – According to the latest news in Australia regarding their student visa application stated they have strengthen their policy on students applicant to make sure these are only given to “genuine” individuals. From the press release that has been publicized quoted the minister of immigration and citizenship Chris Evans. He said the “tough new measures” will ensure that only “genuine international students are accepted to study in Australia”.

 

Australian government are responsible for forges passports
Australia, May 26, 2010 – According to the Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop statement announced recently that the Australian government and security agencies are responsible with the passport forgery. This has been prohibited and that provoked the Rudd Government to expel an Israeli diplomat. Ms Bishop turns out to be involved in the fake passports scandal after she named the yesterday’s expulsion “an over-reaction”. She told Fairfax Media: “It would be naive to think that Israel is the only country in the world that has used forged passports, including Australian passports, for security operations.”

 

New directions with new SOL
May 24, 2010, Australia – According to the news lately, Chris Evans has been announced that the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) has been released by the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. This in accordance to the news is part of the critical reform in the Government’s overhaul of general migration. Latest SOL is said to have 200 occupations needed for Australian immigration, that includes medical professionals including dentists, nurses and osteopaths, as well as engineers, teachers, IT professionals, welders and other trade occupations.

 

Emigrant visas cuts in favor of higher skills visa
May 21, Australia – According to the latest report, the new rules announced on Monday stated that the number of occupations entitling Irish workers to an Australian work visa have been cut by more than half, from 400 to 181, effective on July 1. This has been a bad news especially for immigrants workers who are wishing to grab a career opportunities in the land down under.

 

Australian stocks increase
Australia, May 19, 2010 – According to the latest report the Australian share market has been increased today after the US markets control to close in positive territory after trading of the session. The exact figures stated at 10:10am AEST, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had lifted 35.3 points, or 0.79 per cent, to 4502.5 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index had gained 33.3 points, or 0.74 per cent, to 4534.0 points. Sydney Futures Exchange, the June share price index futures contract was 14 points higher at 4509 points, on volume of 11,360 contracts. Global miner BHP Billiton improved 54 cents to $37.43 and Rio Tinto added 59 cents to $64.74. Woodside Petroleum gained 32 cents to $43.57, and Santos climbed five cents to $12.85.

 

Air China’s first online booking engine for SMEs
According to the latest news that has been reported that the Amadeus publicized the deployment of its online booking engine to Air China’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Programme, Air China Rewards. This online booking engine according to the report will power uncertainties and ticketing by SMEs based in China, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom and agree to real-time bookings and an upfront discount of 3-5 percent on air fares upon enrolment to the Programme. The booking engine incorporates Amadeus’ e-Retail, Web e-Ticketing and Payment Gateway solutions. Air China is the first Chinese carrier to adopt the Amadeus’ e-Retail solution to power an online booking engine specifically for SMEs.

 

Overseas students to Australia decreased
May 17, Australia – According to the recent news the total percentage of the overseas students to Australia has been decreased. These students that came from India, Vietnam and China have dropped 40 per cent last month. This according to the report is the effect of the recent changes to Australia’s visa regime.

 

The recent changes with Travelsphere Group
According to the news that has been spread the Kaleidoscope Travel Group, consisting of Travelsphere, Page & Moy and Just You is now in changes in accordance with their company development. They are now rebrandring under the umbrella company Page & Moy Travel Group. The Travelsphere Group has undergone significant change in the last six years with the acquisition of Page & Moy in December 2004 and the launch of singles brand Just You in October 2005.

 

Asylum seekers detained in a motel
May 12, 2010, Australia – Recent news that Small Business Minister Craig Emerson told Sky News regarding the situation about the asylum seekers that they found, they said that they will not put them behind razor wire. Instead the federal government have defended the decisions to take the 79 asylum seekers to stay in a four star Queensland motel. Indeed they are detained but in a much proper room also to keep away from danger their children.

 

Improvements on Australian stocks first time in 6 years
Australia, May 5, 2010 – According to the report regarding the local market and Australian stocks that for the first time in 6 years they have been experienced the increase with their market. However these will continuous depends on the overseas factor stated by the specialists on market industry.

 

The 22nd Sunday Times Rich List 2010
From the recent UK news spread across the country about the 22nd Sunday Times Rich List 2010. There are lots of well celebrated and travel tycoons have been awarded in this event. The chart lists the 1,000 wealthiest people in the UK.

 

Dollar rate increase a bit
Australia, April 28, 2010 – At 5pm (AEST), the dollar was trading at $US0.9247/50, up 0.58 per cent from Friday’s close of $US0.9193/95 and from 7am (AEST) today, the local unit traded between $US0.9237 and $US0.9286. This has been reported from the news lately that despite of the weaker performance regarding the share markets fortunately the dollar rate showed increase with its currency.

 

Holiday taxis help with the volcanic ash crisis
UK, April 26, 2010 – In line with the bad news regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland, now we have volcanic ash crisis that gave a lot of problems to most of the people especially those who are included in cancelled flights in the airport. The HolidayTaxis.com has recently given their gratitude to its travel agent, airline and tour operater business partners for their “professionalism and attention to detail during the recent and in progress working matters nearby the volcanic ash crisis.”

 

US market to recover from early losses
April 21, 2010, Australia – From the recent news stated that the new banking profits drive the United States shares into much higher earnings. This positive results has been showed the recovery of the states from the previous losses because of economy crisis as the increased up to 0.7 per cent. The auto market makes progress and recover from the increased of almost 1.5 per cent, after Daimler posted a preliminary profit of 1.2 billion euros.

 

South Australian Government Global Financial
Australia, April 19, 2010 – From the recent news about the global financial status in Australia, according to the South Australian Government the deadlines has been announced to be shifted and spend to fit in school projects among the expenses in the schools.

 

Top destinations for weddings abroad
UK, April 14, 2010 – From the recent survey according to Travel Weekly the top destinations for easy weddings travel abroad are now publicize for everyone future references. These places are popular because they’re easier to get to and offer predominantly good value.

 

Opening of the 150 new high-street shops
Australia April 12, 2010 – From the recent news the Co-operative Travel boss Mike Greenacre has announced the possible opening of almost 150 shops over the next four years. This according to the statement approved by the Co-operative Group board however the UK’s largest independent travel agency sequence growing its network to up to 650 to 700 a shop that is why it might be end up as a competition among the companies.

 

Asylum seekers are being taken for security
Australia, April 7, 2010 – From the recent news about the asylum seekers in Australia has been reported that there’s been a boat carrying almost 22 asylum seekers that has been taken to Christmas Island for the security purposes. The most recent interception comes as an extra 65 people were moved from Christmas Island to the mainland in Australia.

 

A residency for post-grads in Australia
Australia, April 5, 2010 – From the recent news on ABC that has been spread out throughout the country regarding the students in Australia. According to the news the top universities in the land down under have recently announced the new process on visa, as they move forward the benefits for the post graduates. For the post graduates students in Australia to have and can apply for a permanent residency as they finished their studies.

 

A campaign for UK tourism minister
UK, March 31, 2010- From the March 5 issue of Travel Weekly the Yes Minister was launched, in support with this campaign all big names from different firms came to see this much awaited campaign. The campaigns prioritize the demands on the UK government to have a tourism minister to acknowledge them within the industry.

 

Asylum seekers might find their place
Australia, March 29, 2010 – According to the recent news regarding the asylum seekers in Australia that they have been unsuccessful in moving in to the Mainland Australia before they have been deported as fortunately might be granted to stay in country said by the federal oppositions. These asylum seekers include a group of 89 Iraqis, Sri Lankans, Afghans and Iranians. These people have been said to be transferred Christmas Island to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney on Saturday after the announcement made by the federal oppositions.

 

Launch of Hypersonic in Australia
Australia, March 24, 2010 – From the recent new published in Australia the newest technology, known as Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation or HIFiRE is now in process of testing. This has been developed by the scientists from Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the US Air Force.

 

Australia support the Baird Report
Australia, March 22, 2010 – The Baird Report by Bruce Baird was commissioned by the Australian Department for Education has been said to be approved the Australian Immigration and its Minister Chris Evans. The final report of the Baird Review on the legislation governing international education changes has been support by Evans as they think that these changes definitely make benefits among the customers.

 

“Abortion tourism” in UK
Australia, March 17, 2010 – The SROM a well-known pro-abortion feminist organization in Poland has recently launched an ad campaign promoting “abortion tourism” to Britain by showing the Polish women where they can get a free abortion at a UK clinic. This organization and program has been sponsored by the National Health Service (NHS). One of the SROM’s poster has the image of a woman wearing an underwear with written words “my choice”. The group make uses of the Mastercard advertising logo conjoined red and orange circles but the only difference is there’s a “SROM” written on the poster.

 

Baird Review on Australian student visa changes
Australia March 15, 2010 – Baird Review on legislation governing international education declared their support regarding with the recent changes on Government immigration policy. The Education for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 has been run through and reviewed by Hon. Bruce Baird, and he has been known for his support on the policy changes that has approved in February 2010 by the management and the government.

 

Job advertisements in Australia jumps up
Australia, March 10, 2010 – Almost 20 percent has been increased to the jobs adverts in Australia this statistics has reported all across the nation, from the part time job openings to full time. From the ANZ statement released this week that almost 30 percent of all the jobs listed in Australia is all part-time, in which the employees needed to work less than 35 hours a week. This contract was make public due to the need of recovering from their business market and economy.

 

Victoria the well visited city in Australia
Australia, March 8, 2010 -Large number of people, from Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans and Iraqis are immigrating to Sydney and NSW to start and create a new happy life. However for Indians, Malaysians and Sri Lankans the city of Victoria is the first choice fro their immigration in Australia, this report has been stated the most immigrants are setting last couples of year 2008 and 2009.

 

Percent of business jet flight increase this 2010
March 3, 2010, Australia – This 2010 the business jet travel are hoping to increase their business even there are some difficulty in economic sometimes. Companies are still in positive set of mind the see a positive results on their value in business aviation.

 

Biometric Data for Australian visa applicants
Australia March 1, 2010 – According to recent report the Australian Government has broadcasted the latest process for all the Australian visa applicants. It said the government have given $69 million over the next four years to bring in biometric date checks for Australian Visa applications. This new system and data recording the Australian visa assessment will set new rules and regulations.

 

Australian dollar increase a notch
February 24, 2010, Australia – The Australian dollars has recently gain their currency close one US cent higher, according to AEDT, the Australian dollar was trading at 90.07 US cents, up 1.12 per cent from Friday’s close of 89.03 cents from 5pm, then at exactly 7am the local unit traded between 89.89 US cents and 90.23 cents.

 

Pressure on Australian dollar that hit the overseas
February 22, 2010, Australia – Draw back from last month the Australian dollar that has been hit the overseas earnings. Nevertheless the local equities and real estate markets has been grabbed their sits to stay and strong until last year.

 

British Airways and American Airlines partnership approved
UK February 17, 2010 – The mergers between the British Airways with American Airlines have been approved by the US regulators and gave a signal to start their business with tourist visa UK. This agreement has been submitted and issued for approval for almost 12 years now. And last Saturday great news has been stated and the application was approved and granted by the US Department of Transportation.

 

Applications to UK universities increased
UK, February 15, 2010 – Applications to UK universities have increased up to 23% on their student application even though it has been said that the university entrance is now more competitive than last year according to Ucas. The figures from the university admissions service, Ucas, showed a 22.9% increase in applications. Statistics also said that fewer places for 2010-11 than in 2009-10 this has been confirmed by the university funding chiefs.

 

The Changes to General Skilled Migration
Australia, February 10, 2010 – Changes have been settled from 8th of February, 2010 with the General Skilled Migraton. However there’s been a report that there is a contradicting between the information from the announcement made by the Australian government in relation to the General Skilled Migration program. To clarify and settle the things that have been said and done below are the following changes to the General Skilled Migration;

 

Employees lost their shifts because of under time
Australia February 8, 2010 – According to the newspaper The Australian report that most of the teenager employees and their employer, the Terang and District Co-operative, 210 kilometres south west of Melbourne have been set an arrangement and understanding that the following employees must work at least 1.5 hours after school. However Kevin Rudd said that this new systems might lose most of the job of those employees who can commit with the new time schedule and regulations.

 

The best European gets away
UK, February 3, 2010 – If you’re planning to visit a good place that doesn’t necessary take a lot of your savings then visit Florence in February. The flights are cheaper, if you want to hire a car it will not that pricey also. The one best thing about his place is the systematic arrangement; you don’t need to stand in a long line just to rent a car.

 

UK Economy recovering from recession this 2010
UK, February 2, 2010 – BBC news recently reported hat this year the UK economy have been recovering and now gradually increasing from the dent they have been experienced from the past year. From the last three months of the year 2009, the statistics according to the economy reports has been raise by a weaker-than-expected 0.1%.

 

Rudd positive thoughts on Australia day
Australia January 27, 2010 – The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is undoubtedly positive and optimistic on what the Australian future holds. As they celebrate the Australia Day, Rudd is very confident that there will be good potential for most of the Aussies this year.

 

Australian ambassador alerts for an attacks
Australia, January 25, 2010 – The non stop attacks of Indian nationals to Australian have becoming the most talked about news in the country today. However Australian representative to India Peter Varghese said that this incessantly attacks is to have the urgency to do a better work for their country.

 

Visa program to increase immigrants in Australia
Australia January 20, 2010 – The recent summary reports on the subclass 457 business (long stay) visa program expose the statistics made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenships. Report stated that more than 40 % less than last year in regards with the visa applications and grants, the said report is 457.

 

The Gold Coast United trial
Australia, January 18, 2010 – Clive Palmer of the Outspoken Gold Coast United said a degrading comment about the government’s immigration policies as racist after of the people from Ghana who wants to migrate in the land down under was disqualified when he apply for the A-League club. However this issue of the united chairman was also disappointing to the Ghanian government.

 

Australia the leading destination today
Australia January 18, 2010 – Australia is one of the most popular travelling destinations in the world. Many people travel to this country every year. It is known for the easy access to communication and friendliness. For all non citizens except New Zealanders, visa is required to visit the country. Before applying for any visa, please check out for the subclass that you are applying for.

 

Refugees refuse to have a visa
Australia, January 13, 2010 – Tamil refugee recently refused to have a visa to stay in Australia; this has been reported from The Federal Government. Pressure have been gone from the Immigration Department, Wilson Tuckey the prompting outspoken Liberal backbencher said that the department need to relocate all the refugees to another country.

 

Australia’s immigration detention centre illegal
Australia, January 12, 2010 – Lately the Amnesty immigrant co-ordinator, Graham Thom the Amnesty immigrant co-ordinator spent a week examining the Australian immigration centre, situated on Australia’s remote Indian Ocean Territory. He explained the amenities and surroundings there as intolerable. According to Amnesty International that the Australia’s immigration detention facility might charge of breaching of human rights and it should be close for good.

 

Robbie Williams as Australian investors
Australia January 6, 2010 – Australian Visa Bureau confirms that there had been a 25 per cent increase in Irish visa applications in 2009, also the Canadians boost almost up to 13 percents.

 

Australia decline some student from India
Australia, January 4, 2010 – Students from India who applied between July and October last year have been accused on documentation fraud. The decisions came from the Australian authorities to decline the admission to one-third of the Indian students.

 

Doubt on Australia securities
December 29, 2009 Australia – ABC net reported that The Federal Government says it is in touch with US authorities to safeguard travel in Australia after a man tried to detonate an explosive on a flight to Detroit.

 

Sri Lankan asylum seekers came to Australia
Sydney, December 21, 2009 – Recent news from Sydney Morning Herald stated that the first Oceanic Viking’s asylum seekers just arrive in Australia. With the two granted resettlement in Australia 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers off the Australian Customs ship Oceanic Viking have left Indonesia and came to the land down under. However 15 of those people who refused to came have left Indonesia and will go to Canada.

 

Guidance on citizenship and Australian visa issues
Australia, December 16, 2009 – Global visas recently said that Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship will provide an advice in regards with the visa issues.

 

Results on Australian visa review
Australia, December 14, 2009 – Almost 10,000 overseas students from different country who are studying in Australia in order to secure the permanent residency, unfortunately they are sent home empty-handed under changes being considered by the Federal Government. The Herald has obtained a document equipped by the Immigration Department recommending changes ”in the relationship between the lodgement of an application and the legal obligation to grant a visa”.

 

Aussie Government rejects the visa for Korean artist
Australia, December 9, 2009 – Australian curator for the first exhibition of art commissioned from North Korea Mark Colvin has been accused the Federal Government of censorship.

 

Security on Federal Government border security initiative
Australia, December 7, 2009 – The protection on visa applicants has recently announced by the Immigration Minister Chris Evans. As the report stated that in process on security people will be asked to conduct a digital scan of their faces and fingerprints. This is to secure and help Australia’s border added by Senator Evans as part of the visa assessment and processing.

 

Australian Visa fine over Australian £60,000
Australia, December 2, 2009 – From BBC news that Crusader may have charged amounting to £60,000 with the irregularities on their visa that led to the UK Borders Agency that recently deported six of their Australia-born players.

 

The importance of overseas students
Australia, December 1, 2009 – News from Sydney Morning Herald stated that education helped to prop up the NSW economy by generating $6.4 billion for the state in spite of revelations of shonky colleges and violent attacks on Indian students. Higher education earnings from international students increased by $1.3 billion to $9.5 billion for the year, the sector generated a record $16.6 billion for Australia in the past financial year.

 

Australian Working Holiday Visas Process
Australia, November 18, 2009 – Report has been stated that the Australian Government centre which processes all Australian Working Holiday Visa applications, has out information that shows it is meeting government service standards of the Working Holiday Global Processing Centre

 

Skilled workers are now immigrating to Australia
Australia, October 12, 2009 – Overseas workers from different country who emigrate to Australia are first located in Adelaide are later relocating to other larger Australian cities like Sydney and Melbource. South Australia has a unique program for workers who emigrate to Australia, but has been losing these valuable migrants to the bigger cities of Melbourne and Sydney.

 

Melbourne Politicians Calls for Cap on New Zealand Immigrants
Australia, November 23, 2009 – Labor Government MP Kelvin Thomson told a Melbourne newspaper that the number of New Zealanders immigrating to Australia has made it not possible to manage migrant numbers and preserve value of life.

 

The Changes in Australian Work Visa
Australia, November 25, 2009 – The changes in this working visa were introduced last September, to make sure that temporary foreign workers are not abused by their employers when working in Australia. In order to talk and speak to people in regards with this changes to almost 457 visa obligations. Recently the officers of Australian Immigration have broadcasted that they will visit the Pilbara region in Western Australia.

 

The Downfall of Indian Market According to Australia
Australia, November 16, 2009 – To resolve the increasing stress among Indian politicians parents alarmed by violent attacks against their offspring studying in Australia and the conclusion of more than a dozen training colleges in Melbourne and Sydney so far this year, threading almost 5,000 students. The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd held to India to try and resolve this.

 

New assistance for Australian Student Visa applications
Australia, November 11, 2009 – Australian Student Visa who have been affected by the closure of any international educational institution will soon be offered measures to assist them by the Australian Government.

 

Aussie returning to their homeland
Australia, November 9, 2009 – More and more Australian are coming back to their home in Australia on their extended working holidays in the UK. Numbers has been increased throughout the year in which Caroline Rafferty first noticed the trend at the start of the year when tough new changes to the UK’s Highly Skilled Migrant Visa laws came into effect.

 

Visa Australia to phase out signature cards by 2013
Australia, November 4, 2009 -Seven pronged programme embarked on by Visa last year to improve payment system security in the country this move is part of a five year.

 

Fake loans use to scam students to have their visa
Australia, October 26, 2009 – It has been stated the fallacious Indian bank and loan statements are being used to underwrite a people-smuggling process centred on student visas. The result is the cancellation of almost 500 applications from Indian applicants. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship established that more than 500 Indian nationals had their student visa applications refused over fake financial documents, including loan statements, in the three months to September. Another 150 immigration agents have had their access to the eVisa online visa application system declined. Almost $90,000 false bank loans being put forward as proof that student visa applicants from the subcontinent had the means to study in Australia.

 

Australia changes visa rules to address skills shortage
Australia, October 21, 2009 – Professionals that will be fast-tracked through the Australian visa system to address skills shortages under new rules. The following specialized are dentists, doctors, civil engineers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, midwifes, secondary school teachers and accountants.

 

Have your visa together with your Australian degree
Australia, October 19, 2009 – Almost 500,000 foreign students and annual revenues of 15 billion Australian dollars ($12 billion) are having their visa application approved together with their respective Australian degrees. Report stated that in Sydney Australia’s the Coupling paper qualifications with green cards has helped turn higher education sector into an industry bigger than tourism.

 

Student Visas – Australia Suspends 200 Visa Agents
Australia, October 7, 2009 – Almost 200 immigration agents from lodging student visa applications has been suspended by the Australian Government. It is been said that the suspensions have been issued due to confirmation of fraud, or poor visa approval rates.

 

A beekeeper, not enough skills to earn visa
October 5, 2009 – Since having an apiarist work is not recognizable internationally, some workers that have been developed this skill are required to leave the country of Australia. . Jing Bang (Jim) Zou and his wife, Litang Fan, pioneered the production of propolis, a bee-created resin they say is a natural antibiotic and immune system booster. It is used in cosmetics, creams and ointments.

 

Australia immigration SmartGate more accurate than border officer
October 1, 2009 – SmartGate Australian’s high-tech express passport system is considered more accurate in most cases than a border protection officer says university professor.

 

Australian Visa Changes Cause Heartache
September 28, 2009 – Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced changes in its priority processing for skilled visas. The changes concerns is a reshuffle of priority visa processing, meaning that those who were previously quite high up in the priority order, now find themselves near the bottom of the queue. And the apparently sad news is not only affecting the new visa applicants but changes would also affect applications that were already being processed.

 

Irish people fleeing recession find safe haven in Australia
Sydney, September 23, 2009 – SYDNEY LETTER: Unemployment remains steady at under 6 per cent, less than half the rate in Ireland.

 

Online student visa: Australia suspends 200 agents
Australia, September 21, 2009 – Almost 200 agents operating in a number of countries from lodging student visa applications has been closed because of evidence of fraud or poor approval rates. In order to regain their access to the online system, agents will need to ‘show cause’ for their behaviour. Also, access arrangements are being revised to ensure that online agents meet high standards of performance.

 

Study, work opportunities in Australia made more accessible for Filipinos
September 14, 2009, MANILA, Philippines – An affordable, accessible and portable education pathway is available for Filipinos to study and be equipped to take advantage of work opportunities in Australia.

 

Temporary Work Visa Holders to Australia Must Receive Fair Wages
September 9, 2009 – Senator Chris Evan, minister for Immigration & Citizenship Australia has recently announced a changes that will certain that temporary skilled workers receive salaries and wages similar to their Australian counterparts.

 

Foreign workers to be paid at ‘market rates’ in Australia
Australia, September 7, 2009 – Foreign workers who are recently approved their working visa will have to be paid “market rates”under a further reduction of this that allows employers to bring in temporary skilled labour.

 

Australia Meets Refugee Commitments
Australia, September 3, 2009 – Australia’s immigration department has already met its annual target for accepting refugees. For 2008 and 2009, it has already granted 13,507 Australian visas to refugees. This is a little over the original target of 13,500.

 

Australia Lowers Visa Requirements for Athletes
Australia, September 2, 2009 – Changes to residency requirements for talented athletes were introduced yesterday lowering the required years for citizenship from four years down to two.

 

Australia to Open Six New Autism Centres
September 1, 2009 – The Australian Federal Government is allotting AUD$3.2 million to open the first of six new specialist centres for children with autism spectrum Disorder. A centre has recently been opened in Prospect, Adelaide as part of the government’s commitment to deliver up to 260 new early learning and care centres in Australia. The six centres are part of the Government’s $190 million Helping Children with Autism package.

 

Australia Gives Go Signal for $50 Billion LNG Project
Australia, August 27, 2009 – The AUD $50 billion Gorgon liquefied natural gas project just cleared its last major regulatory hurdle on Wednesday with the Australian environment ministry giving it the go signal.

 

Lowe’s to Enter Australia
Australia, August 26, 2009 – Lowe’s Cos. Inc is planning to form a joint venture with Woolworth’s Ltd for a network of home improvement stores in Australia. The Mooresville-based company will have one-third stake in the chain. The venture plans open the first store in late 2011 and would grow to 150 stores in the next five years. The new stores are set to measure more than 100,000 square feet and will sell a wide variety of do-it-yourself and commercial products and services.

 

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Australia to Share Biometrics Data with Canada and UK
Australia, August 25, 2009 – As part of the global push to enforce stricter border security and to eliminate identity fraud, Australia will be sharing fingerprints of immigration detainees with Britain and Canada.

 

Universities Calling for Stricter Student Visa Rules
Australia, August 20, 2009 – There has been growing concern that students who apply for visa are using this primarily as a pathway to permanent residence instead of prioritizing their educational needs. Universities Australia (UA) are calling for the Australian Government to implement stricter rules with regards to vocational training.

 

Government to Inject $7M for Indigenous Education
Western Australia, August 19, 2009 – Education Minister Julia Gillard announced today that the Federal Government will inject more than $7 million into education projects. The focus will be on the Kimberly region of Western Australia. The funding aims to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous student literacy and numeracy levels.

 

New Australian Immigration Advisory Board Appointed
Australia, August 18, 2009 – Following the establishment of the new Office of the MARA last July 1, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced this week the appointment of an advisory board. The board is comprised of representatives form the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), the Law Council of Australia, community and consumer advocates.

 

Decline in Temporary Overseas Workers Seen
Australia, August 13, 2009 – Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, recently released the State/Territory Summary Report for Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) Visa for the financial year to June 2009. The report indicates that there has been a significant decline in the number of temporary skilled overseas workers entering Australia. The drop is attributed to the global economic slowdown and changes implemented by the government to ensure wages and working conditions are not undermined.

 

Green IT Training Courses Launched
Australia, August 12, 2009 – Environmentally conscious Australian business can now be better educated on Green IT. Excom Education announced plans of launching the industry’s first Green IT training courses.

 

South Australia Defies Trend of Youth Unemployment
South Australia, August 11, 2009 – The future looks bright for young local job seekers in South Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently released figures that state 8.4 percent of 15 to 19-year-olds in South Australia are looking for full-time work.

 

Hugh Jackman Top Choice for Australian Tourism Ads
Australia, August 6, 2009 – The Roy Morgan poll asked tourism representatives to pick the next poster boy for Australia’s tourism ads and the answer is: Hugh Jackman. During the poll, respondents were not prompted with a list of suggestions.

 

Malaysia-Australia to Enforce Stricter Measures Against Human Trafficking
Malaysia and Australia, August 5, 2009 – Malaysia and Australia have agreed to fight human trafficking to Australia using Malaysia as a transit country. Both countries will be holding working group meetings at the senior officer level.

 

Number of Chinese and Indian Tourists in Australia Expected to Rise
Australia, August 4, 2009 – According to projections form the Tourism Forecasting Committee, visitors from China and India will soar over the next decade. 900,000 tourists per year are expected to arrive from China in 2018, up from 356,000 last year.

 

New Home Sales in Australia Picking Up
Australia, July 30, 2009 – Sales of new homes in Australia continue to increase, continuing the positive trend for the first six months of the year.

 

Australia’s Health System Set for Biggest Reform in 25 Years
Australia, July 29, 2009 – The Australian Government has unveiled its proposal for a total revamp of the nation’s health system. The final report drawn up by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission was released yesterday.

 

AngloGold Considers Gold Mine Venture in Australia
Western Australia , July 28, 2009 – Africa’s largest gold producer, AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., is studying a $426 million (AUD $520 million) mine development in Western Australia. It plans to have a venture partnership with Independence Group NL.

 

Australia’s Uluru and Barrier Reef in the Running for New Seven Wonders
Australia, July 23, 2009 – The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) have been shortlisted as part of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is in competition with other world-renowned tourist attractions such as the Amazon and Mount Vesuvius.

 

Australia Plans Tougher Stance on Terrorism
Australia, July 22, 2009 – The Australian Government announced on Wednesday that it will be reviewing its counterterrorism laws. The new laws will give greater powers to police and intelligence agencies to stop fanatics from inciting violence based on race, religion or nationality.

 

Homeowners Taking Advantage of Low Interest Rates
Australia, July 21, 2009 – More homeowners are trying to take advantage of the record low housing interest rates. According to Aussie Home Loans, there is a spike in the number of borrowers looking to refinance their mortgage.

 

Harris Poll: Australia is Top Travel Destination
Australia, July 16, 2009 – The results of Harris Poll 2009’s survey for the Top 15 International Vacation Destination for Americans ranks Australia as the number one country. Assuming that cost is not a factor in the equation, the survey also shows that 96% of Americans would be willing to vacation outside the US.

 

World’s Longest Golf Course to Open in Australia
Australia, July 15, 2009 – Tourists and travelers will have something new to look forward to in the coming years. The world’s longest golf course is scheduled to open in Australia this year. The golf course will be 1,365 kilometres long (848 miles) spanning 18 tows and service stations.

 

Outsourcing Giant Expands Australian Staff
Australia, July 14, 2009 – Indian IT outsourcing giant Infosys plans to increase its workforce in Australia by 100 employees. The news came after the company was awarded the AUD $450 million application development and maintenance contract last week by telecom operator Telstra.

 

Melbourne Pushing for Concession Fares for International Students
Melbourne, July 9, 2009 – A new welcome booth is now available at the Melbourne Airport for international students. It was during its launch yesterday that Lord Mayor Robert Doyle pushed for concession fares for international students on the city’s trains, buses and trams.

 

Australian Campaign to Fight Poverty Launched
Australia, July 8, 2009 – Last night, a campaign urging global action on poverty was launched Melbourne. With over 1.4 billion people worldwide living on less than US$1 per day, the internal awarness campaign is expected to be taken on a world tour in a variety of languages. This project hopes to inspire governments commit to financial aid and the global audience in general to make a difference.

 

1.3M Workers to be affected by Minimum Wage Decision
Australia, July 7, 2009 -The minimum wage decision still pending with the Fair Pay Commission is expected to impact 1.3 million low-paid workers. ACTU is calling for an increase that lift workers’ pay from $14.31 an hour.

 

Government Launches Job Services Australia
Australia, July 2, 2009 – The Australian Government employment service Job Services Australia was launched July 1, 2009. It represents an investment of over $4.9 billion over the next three years. Designed as simpler, more personalised service, the project aims to meet the employment and recruitment requirements of both job seekers and employers.

 

10,000 Indonesian Refugees Headed to Australia
Australia, July 1, 2009 – Indonesian authorities warned that Australia is the most likely destination for 10,000 of its refugees. According to reports, about 1,500 asylum seekers from Malaysia recently arrived in Indonesia by boat this year. Said refugees are using Malaysia as a staging point before they seek passage to Australia via Indonesia.

 

Opera Australia has New Artistic Director
Australia, June 30, 2009 – Opera Australia has been assigned a new artistic director after a four-month international search. Lyndon Terracini, the CEO and artistic director of Major Brisbane Festivals, will take over the emptied position after the death of the controversial music director Richard Hicox last November.

 

Tourism Queensland Wins Cannes International Advertising Festival Awards
Queensland, June 29, 2009 – Despite a limited budge of $1.7 million, Tourism Queensland has outperformed even those $40 million budget. Thanks to it “The Best Job in the World” advertising campaign, a new record has been set at the Cannes International Advertising Festival. Tourism queensland took home three Grand Prixs for public relations, direct advertising and cyber websites.

 

Melbourne to Get Better Train System Operation
Melbourne, June 26, 2009 – The Brumby Government is promising more staff on stations, fewer cancelled trains and improved punctuality. The changes come as a new consortium has been appointed to manage and operate Melbourne’s train system for the next eight years.

 

Increase in Internet Job Ads Continue
Australia, June 24, 2009 – Australia’s labour market continues to improve as jobs advertised on the internet show an increase. The ANZ national job ad series monitors advertisements in both newspapers and the internet. For January, it has noted that internet advertising has increased by 1.8% to 276,969, seasonally-adjusted.

 

Sydney Town Square on Fast-track to Realization
Sydney, June 23, 2009 – The city of Sydney’s long-awaited town square may soon come to fruition. The Rees Government is pushing ahead with the CBD Metro project and is planning to purchase the buildings opposite Town Hall.

 

Melbourne Fast-Becoming Preferred Tourist Site
Melbourne, June 22, 2009 – While Sydney is still in the running as one of Australia’s top city for internationals visiting Australia, other Australian destinations are also increasingly being favored by visitors. In a recent global study on livability of 140 cities, Sydney came ninth. Melbourne, on the other hand, now ranks third.

 

Melbourne to Set for Urban Expansion
Melbourne, June 19, 2009 – Melbourne’s urban sprawl continues to grow and has now been given the go-ahead for another expansion. The urban are will be allowed to grow an additional 41,000 hectares. This would allow the city to accommodate 415,000 more people, exceeding Canberra’s current population.

 

Better Health Infrastructure to be Expected in NSW
Australia, June 17, 2009 – Health Minister John Della Bosca plans on injecting more than $603 million to health infrastructure this year. Of that amount, 10 percent is expected to go to IT projects. Della Bosca says that the delivery of major IT initiatives to enhance patient services is a Government priority for the next four years.

 

Government Stimulus Package to Help 80,000 Unemployed Australians
Australia, June 16, 2009 – Australia’s stimulus package is expected to put 80,000 long-term unemployed people back into the workforce over the next decade. The $52 billion stimulus pumped into the economy, raised economic growth by 2.75 percent in 2009-2010 and by 1.5 percent in 2010-2011. The budget is also projected to decrease the forecast jobless rate from 10 percent to 8.5 percent.

 

Swine Flu Closes Down Two More Schools
Australia, June 15, 2009 – Two more schools in West Australia will close on Monday with reports of students contracting swine flu. The state currently has 66 cases with 17 more awaiting test results.

 

Unemployment Rate Hits 5.7%
Australia, June 11, 2009 – Last month, job losses were pegged at an astounding 26,600 full-time losses. Companies are retrenching and shedding jobs as the economic downturn continues. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this pushed the unemployment rate up to 5.7 percent from 5.4 percent in April.

 

Victorian Schools to Receive $1.4 Billion
Victoria, June 9, 2009 – Primary schools in Victoria are set to receive $1.4 billion for new libraries, halls and classrooms as part of the latest stimulus plan of the Government. Education Minister Julia Gillard says that 776 Victorian schools will benefit under the second round of funding for the primary schools.

 

Coalition: Student Plan Unfair
June 8, 2009 – The Coalition says that the student plan is unfair and will be proposing amendments to the Federal Government’s overhaul of student income support. With the proposal, people who took gap years would become eligible and will still qualify for payments.

 

Renters to be given a month’s grace from eviction
June 5, 2009 – Renters facing eviction in New South Wales will be give a “rent holiday.” They will have a month’s grace before they are evicted from their homes when banks repossess properties.

 

Melbourne Building Sector Job Losses Up
Melbourne , June 3, 2009 – Melbourne’s commercial construction industry is experiencing the effects of the downturn with job losses up by 2000 in the past year. According to the industry’s redundancy payment fund IncoLink, the employment in the sector dropped significantly from 39,109 a year earlier to 37,133 this April.

 

Aussie Jobs Safe despite GM Bankruptcy
Australia, June 2, 2009 – GM Holden Chief Executive Mark Reuss announced yesterday that the bankruptcy of parent company General Motors Corp. (GM) will not have a negative impact on Australian arm’s employees. He said that this is a positive opportunity to restructure and no job losses are planned for now.

 

Unions campaign to slash executive salaries
Australia, June 1, 2009 – The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) will launch a campaign to urge the Federal Government to restrict executive base pay at 10 times the average wage of their full-time employees.

 

ACTU Pushes for Unemployment Benefits Boost
Australia, May 29, 2009 – The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is pushing for increased unemployment benefits in line with the big increase to the aged pension in last month’s federal budget.

 

US tech firm expands, ads jobs in Victoria
Victoria, May 28, 2009 – NetApp, a California-based data storage provider, is planning on expanding its Melbourne office. According to the company, this move will add “at least” 68 new jobs to Victoria’s information and communications technology sector.

 

Demand for Skilled Labour Decline
Australia, May 27, 2009 – Advertisement for skilled jobs dropped yet again in May. According to the index compiled by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), skilled vacancies slid by 7 percent in may following and 8.9 percent decline in April. This marks the 18th consecutive month of decline in the index. The year-on-year drop is now pegged at 62.6 percent.

 

Unions Against Lift of Pension Eligibility
Australia, May 25, 2009 – Left-wing trade unions are not happy about Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s plan to lift the pension eligibility from 65 to 67.

 

Melbourne Airport hits record number of passengers for April
Melbourne, May 22, 2009 – Despite the dismal numbers of global travelers, Melbourne Airport seems to enjoy a steady influx of international and domestic passengers. In fact, it has hit a record high in April with 8.8 percent increase in international passengers and 1.8 percent increase in domestic passengers. This is the airport’s best passenger figures for any month in the past financial year. A total of 420,089 passengers travelled through the airport last month.

 

Victoria Teachers to be on Performance-based Pay
Victoria, May 21, 2009 – Good performance will paying off for teachers in Victoria. They are set to receive financial bonuses for raising the student’s results. This is part of the State Government’s move to inject performance-based pay into the education system before the next election.

 

National Security Jobs Cut Due to Budget
Australia, May 20, 2009 – dreds of government jobs have been cut due to the recent budget. Customs, border protection and federal courts are the most affected sector. According to Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis 475 jobs have been slashed across departments that service national security and justice.

 

Sydney Opera House Inspires French Architect
Sydney, May 19, 2009 – Roland Castro, one of France’s leading architects, has proposed a Sydney Opera House replica be built on the banks of the Seine to improve Paris’s outer suburbs. Castro is one of 10 artchitects commissioned by President Nicholas Sarkozy to come up with ideas to improve the capital.

 

More than 43,000 Skilled Workers Unemployed
Australia, May 18, 2009 – Even skilled workers are finding it hard to come by jobs these days. More than 43,000 skilled labourers are currently unemployed during the opening months of 2009. This is the worst jobless ratio since 2001.

 

Perisher Village Plan Given the Go Signal
May 15, 2009 – A plan for an 880-bed village to be built in the Snowy Mountains in NSW has just been approved. The government-approved deal would allow Perisher Blu ski resort to develop the $112 million site.

 

Brit Lands “World’s Best Job”
Queensland, May 14, 2009 – Ben Southall, a young British adventurer, was named as the winner of the “best job in the world” competition. The $150,000/year job entails working as a caretaker of Hamilton Island in the Withsundays.

 

$40 million Luxury Resort Planned in Hunter Valley
May 13, 2009 – Construction has started on a five-star luxury resort estimated to be worth $40 million. The destination spa and hotel will be built adjacent to The Vintage Golf Club at Rothbury.

 

Unemployment decreasing in the outer suburbs
Melbourne, May 11, 2009 – Despite earlier predictions that the recession will hit the outer suburbs the worst, the numbers have shown a decrease in unemployment. In fact, it is Melbourne’s affluent inner suburbs that seem to be suffering more with the rise in unemployment at the end of last year.

 

Telstra Appoints New Chief Executive
Australia, May 8, 2009 – David Thodey is slated to take the reigns as the Australian telecom group’s new chief executive. The internal candidate will be replacing Sol Trujillo who will be returning to his native US next month. Chairman Donald McGauchie is also stepping down and will be replaced by fellow board member Catherine Livingstone.

 

Aussie Hotels Storm Expedia Top 1000
Australia, May 7, 2009 – While the nation’s tourism industry is generally feeling the pinch of the global economic downturn, Australian hotels are still gaining international recognition. According to global online travel website Expedia.com.au, Australia’s hotels have quadrupled in presence in the site’s Top 1000 list over last year.

 

Rudd: Australia’s Debt will be Lowest in the World
Sydney, May 6, 2009 – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is up for a challenge. He told reports in Sydney on Wednesday that “Australia’s net debt will be the lowest of any major advanced economy in the world for the next decade.” Rudd welcomes a debate on debt and deficit following revelations that the federal budget deficit for the next financial year will be around $70 billion.

 

Australia Falling Behind on Early Childhood Test
Australia, May 5, 2009 – Australia fails the early childhood test conducted by Save the Children. The country currently ranks third of last of the 25 test takers.

 

Melbourne experiences chilliest April in 56 years
Melbourne, April 30 – The cold has reached its peak in Melbourne. At 2.9 degrees Celsius at 6:35am, it is recorded as the chilliest April morning in the last 56 years.

 

Canberra Rail Trail Gets $13M Funding
Victoria, April 29 – Part of Victoria’s bushfire-affected area will be receiving funding from the $800 million community infrastructure stimulus. The Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail will be getting $13.2 million from the Federal Government.

 

Rise in Unemployment Results in More Home Loss
Victoria, April 28 – More people are losing their homes with the rise of job losses. Court figures in Victoria show a 30 percent rise in claims lodge in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same period last year.

 

Government Funding Not Being Evaluated Properly
April 27 – The effectiveness of Government programs worth $1.2 billion in taxpayer money are not being properly checked. The amount has been spent on mental health, disability programs and child protection without the State Government assessing if they provide value for money.

 

Melbourne’s Population Set to Grow to 4 Million
Melbourne, April 24 – Pressure grows as the population in Melbourne continues to rise. The growth of the area is at a scale never before seen in Australia. It swelled by almost 150,000 people in the last two year.

 

Australian Inflation Rate Slows
Australia, April 22 – Australia’s annual inflation rate slowed in the first quarter during the country’s first recession in almost two decades. It is currently at its weakest pace in the last 18 months.

 

Rudd: Australia recession inevitable
Australia, April 21 – Last Monday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd conceded for the first time that Australia is heading for a recession. He announced that it is inevitable given the current global downturn.

 

Credit Card Debt Reach Record Numbers
Australia, April 20 – Credit card debts are at their highest ever reaching a total of $45.5 billion. Bad news for the banks: Australians are making less repayments.

 

Victorian Child-care Centres to Close Next Month
Victoria, April 16 – ABC Learning Centres will be shutting down their operations next month, leaving almost 300 Victorian families no choice but to move their children elsewhere.

 

Brisbane’s Airport Expansion Deferred
Brisbane, April 15 – Expansions set for Brisbane airport have been put on hold as the tourism market plunges. Construction worth $700 million on domestic expansion and $1billion on a parallel runway were originally schedule for completion by 2015. But now, all plans have been pushed back by several years.

 

Schindler’s List Found in Australia
Australia, April 13 – Oskar Schindler was popularized by the 1993 biographical film by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a German businessman who saved the lives of 1,200 of Jews during the holocaust. It is based on the Thomas Keneally novel entitled Schindler’s Ark.

 

Government Unveils $43B Broadband Plan
Australia, April 8 – In a surprise move Tuesday, the Australian Government announced its plans to back a $43 billion national high speed broadband network investment. Rudd’s Labor Government said that it will set up a majority-owned private company to build the fiber-to-premise network..

 

Melbourne to Open First Stem Cell Bank
Australia, April 7 – Australia’s first dedicated stem cell bank is set to open in July in Melbourne. It is expected to start providing stem cells for medical and research purposes by the end of the year.

 

Australian Banks to Help Jobless with Mortgage
Australia, April 6 – Australia’s four biggest banks will give people who have lost their job up to a year free of mortgage repayments. Home loan sector leaders Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Corp. and the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. will participate in the program.

 

Power lines Down Due to Wild Winds
Australia, April 2 – Gale-force winds have caused power outages in Brisbane’s southern and western suburbs this morning. The winds are a result of strong surface trough moving north coming from NWS. Moving at 80 kilometres an hour, it has already brought down power lines in Algester, Calamvale and Sunnybank.

 

Heavy Rains Cause Blackout
Australia, April1 – Sydney’s inner west area lost power at about 6:30am (AEDT) after being hit by heavy rains. Approximately 3,000 homes and businesses in Camperdown and Glebe experienced a power cutoff.

 

$7M Stimulus Cheques Still on Hold
Australia, March 31 – More than $7 million stimulus package cheques are being held after the High Court challenge puts the tax office into a holding pattern. Payments to 7.4 million Australians are due to be sent out April 6, but the High Court still has not made a decision on the challenge brought by law lecturer Bryan Pape.

 

Strike Causes Major Delays in Australian Airports
Terminals across Australia are experiencing major delays as Qantas employees go on strike. The situation is evident in domestic terminals in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth as well as in international terminals in Sydney in Brisbane.

 

Housing Shortage in Sydney A Reality
Sydney, March 27 – Sydney is currently at its lowest housing construction rate in 50 years. According to the Daily Telegraph more homes are set to be built in Adelaide than in Sydney in 2009. Despite the population growth of Australia’s biggest city, reports show that only 7,300 new houses will be built this year. This number is alarmingly less than previous years, and is roughly only a third of the figure in 2003.

 

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