The Trouble With Harry

The other week I got new glasses.

And while my francophone optometrist tested my eyes he asked me, "You're from Australia aren't you?" 
"Yes," I said, keeping my breathing shallow, so as not to appear bashfully swaggering, (like the Aussie bloke in that old Sunlong Rice advert-me think it 'mazing).
"And the Queen of Great Britain, she's the Queen of Australia too isn't she?"
"Yes," I answered, "by the constitution she is." 
"So does that make Prince Harry Australian too?"

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Give Me A Little Credit

Flying back to Israel on El Al can be a chaval al hazman (one hell ov an) experience. I don’t mean to be snooty but a ten hour flight in 2009 without a personal screen and old fashioned pre laptop overhead storage (small) either assumes that your average traveller from Bangkok is strung out from one form of self abuse or another or has never indulged themselves in any sort of non party approved extravagance since a long weekend in Tiberias in the 1950’s.
But its not all despondency flying on an airborne version of an Egged bone rattler. At least you get pre 11/9-leg room.
However, and notwithstanding, if they do decide to press charges against me, I doubt all that would count for mitigating circumstances.
The predicament really starts a few weeks beforehand. I don’t know about you but in the past my experience in Australia with Israeli credit cards had not been user friendly. The ATMs have never recognised my secret card code. You can note that Israeli caspomats, not to be outdone, and in typical fashion, returned the favour tit for tat and didn’t honour my father’s Australian credit card either. But this time mysteriously enough, I did manage to take money out from the ATMs in Australia with my Israeli card, starting at Bondi Junction. That was good news, it's the first time I’ve had that convenience out there in Oz.
However if you want to evade the heavy bank commission on OS withdrawals you do tend to do your retail shopping transactions directly onto your credit card instead of in cash. But that can be an anxiety causing experience too.
With every retail transaction you make the salesperson swipes your card through the gizmo and then asks you is that on credit or savings? I mean who in Israel has savings in a bank and who’d pay you interest if you did, anyway?
What does an Israeli answer to such a question?
“Oh please just add it to my overdraft.”?
But by trial and error and no insignificant amount of anxiety I concluded that its best to answer-credit. It worked for me.
Well most of the time. There was the incident in David Jones nonetheless, when I bought an expensive suit and my credit was rejected. How did I feel? Let me tell you. I felt very suspect. Here I was intending to attire myself like a mench purporting to pay a pretty hefty sum of money, and on my own account, whilst unshaven for two weeks, with alopecia patches in my beard, looking as scruffy as an Israeli character actor in a Hollywood action movie; but nevertheless incongruously speaking fluent English. I was sure they’d call security any second. Luckily my sister was there to bail me out.
Not withstanding that trauma, the rest of the time my transactions all went through, all right. Oh and lest we forget, the latest innovation in Australian credit card transactions is, lo and behold, “Will that be by signature or on your PIN?" I took to typing in my PIN. As it is I’m no longer used to signing my name in English. Luckily for me the PIN worked every time, not counting the David Jones incident.
The other potential trauma in Australia is inadvertently bringing foodstuffs undeclared through customs, much worse than accidentally buying a vegemite horseshoe roll at the school canteen on chol hamoed pessach. You’re strictly limited on liquid quantities too. That can put you in a bind if you've purchased the Glenlivet deal and bought 2 bottles of it, a sorely tempting promotion for wayward types like me, offered in every duty free location I stepped into on my travels. But the Aussies have a duty free arrangement providing a simple way around those alcohol customs hassles. They have a duty free shop, plonked right in your path just as you embark from the plane. It makes for some lucrative business opportunities for some folks, but I settled for deferred gratification when it came to the Glenlivet deal.
As my return date approached all this stiff upper lip customs attitude in Australia was unnerving me a bit, even though we're talking about a return flight to Israel. I was perplexed as to how many bottles of Glenlivet I could bring into Israel. I hadn't thought to check it out ahead of time. I guess I was too busy with prezzies for everyone else. (dumb metrosexual stuff) So I compromised and didn't do the 2-bottle deal on that very nice single malt at any of the airports I passed through, but settled for a good ol' Chivas, bought on the El Al plane. Figured that'd be safe enough.
So with the duty free call I toddled off to the back of the plane to place my order. I gave the stewardess my credit card and while she swiped it through the little credit card machine I was wondering if I should say credit or savings account. But she asked me a trick question i.e. should she charge it in dollars or shekels? “Whichever comes out cheaper,” I said. Meanwhile I was still wondering if I should say credit or savings account. But she didn't ask that. Instead she just passed the little machine in my direction, with the slip of paper sticking through. So I asked her if I should put in my PIN?
Of course all of that duty free transaction, except for the word PIN, was carried out entirely in Hebrew, and it took me a minute before I realised my mistake. Then I started apologising profusely.
I'm still nervously watching my mail for a sexual harassment indictment.
And for the uninitiated, as anyone who has had a kid go through Israeli kindergarten knows, pin is the Hebrew word for penis.

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SCG Media Release

Electoral Committee Says Disenfranchised Expats Should Stay Voteless Several hundred thousand disenfranchised Australian expatriates living around the globe have received a kick in the teeth from the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM).The JSCEM believes existing electoral legislation on expat enrolment is wholly sufficient, although many Australian citizens overseas are presently prevented by law from enrolling to vote, and are therefore deprived of their franchise. Electoral Committee Says Disenfranchised Expats Should Stay Voteless Several hundred thousand disenfranchised Australian expatriates living around the globe have received a kick in the teeth from the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM).The JSCEM believes existing electoral legislation on expat enrolment is wholly sufficient, although many Australian citizens overseas are presently prevented by law from enrolling to vote, and are therefore deprived of their franchise. Australian electoral law currently prevents Australian citizens from enrolling to vote if it is more than three years since they left Australia to live abroad. This means that expats who are deleted from the electoral roll by the Australian Electoral Commission for whatever reason can find themselves voteless for the duration of their time abroad if they don't realise they have to enrol within that three year window. In its May 2008 submission to the JSCEM's Inquiry, Australian diaspora advocacy and support organisation the Southern Cross Group (SCG) put forward the view that current electoral legislation may in fact now be unconstitutional, when viewed against the High Court's recent statements on the right to vote in the 2007 Roach prisoner voting case. But the JSCEM has failed to assess expat enrolment rules against the High Court's pronouncement that the disenfranchisement of any group of adult citizens on a basis that does not constitute a substantial reason for exclusion from such participation would not be consistent with the Constitution. Despite more than 65 submissions on the expatriate disenfranchisement problem to the JSCEM's Inquiry into the Conduct of the 2007 Election, the Committee's final report, tabled on 22 June 2009, will leave many loyal overseas Australians feeling despondent. SCG Co-founder Anne MacGregor said from Brussels, "We are disappointed that the JSCEM did not undertake anything other than a very cursory review of current expat voting rules as part of this inquiry. While the other issues it chose to spend time investigating are worthy and will be in part peripherally helpful for those expat Australians who can still vote, that does not change the fact that any Australian citizen who is not presently on the electoral roll and who left more than three years ago remains stripped of a basic democratic right. Very often disenfranchisement occurs because the expat just doesn't know about the applicable rules in time." The JSCEM has stated: "Current arrangements do require electors who are travelling overseas with an intention to take up residence in another country to notify the AEC and then take the appropriate steps to maintain their enrolment. However, the committee considers that the taking of actions such as these are valid indicators of electors' actual and continuing interest in Australian electoral politics and their preparedness to act on their franchise." The JSCEM considers that current rules "form a valid method of measuring whether a continuing interest in Australian political affairs exists."Robyn Stephenson, a disenfranchised Australian citizen living in Michigan, said: "The JSCEM's stance overlooks the fact that thousands of departing Australians every year have simply no idea that they have to be proactive to maintain their vote. Many mistakenly assume that their Australian citizenship in and of itself is enough to guarantee them a right to re-enrol (and vote) at any time in the future even if deleted from the roll at a certain point." Recommendations in the JSCEM report which will smooth expatriate voting procedures for enfranchised citizens in Australia's diaspora (if and when they become law) include:· A recommendation to close the rolls 7 days after the issuing of the writs once an election is called; · A recommendation to allow the date of the witness signature on postal vote declarations to be the determining date for the validity of postal votes (rather than the postmark); · A recommendation to remove the legislative requirement for signatures on postal vote applications to facilitate online and electronic applications; · A recommendation that proof of identity be required from each elector once only; · A recommendation for the creation of an enrolment website for already enrolled electors to update their enrolment information themselves online; · A recommendation to simplify postal vote application forms.In February 2009 the SCG wrote to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, suggesting that expatriate enrolment issues should be included in the government's forthcoming second Green Paper on Electoral Reform, slated for release later this year. 23 June 2009 Contacts Robyn Stephenson in Michigan, USA, mobile +1 616 403 2819, robyn@southern-cross-group.org Anne MacGregor in Brussels, Belgium, mobile +32 474 950 131, anne@southern-cross-group.org About the Southern Cross Group The Southern Cross Group is an international non-profit volunteer-run advocacy and support organisation for the Australian diaspora. Since its formation in early 2000, the SCG has established a considerable track record of intelligent and timely submissions to Government on a host of Australian expatriate issues. The Group is best known for its work in reforming Australian citizenship law. It has also been active on the issue of expatriate disenfranchisement in the Australian electoral process, and was the driving force behind the establishment of a broad-based dedicated Australian Senate Committee inquiry into Australian expatriates held in 2003-2005. The SCG has no paid staff and is funded by donations which go towards offsetting overheads such as software licensing fees, web hosting costs, postage, stationery, and communication expense. For more information about the SCG and to make a donation, click here. Contact us for advertising and marketing opportunities. www.southern-cross-group.org info@southern-cross-group.org

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Maybe I’ll Even Leave An Imprint

Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today
I want to be a part of it …

Maybe its a bit grandiose, but be it the Liza Minnelli or Frank Sinatra version, that’s the song that springs to mind, whilst contemplating the biggest step I’ll be taking this last 15 years of my life. After some 21 years in the Israeli public service, so called, I’ll be swapping sides and going into private practice.
I’d have to say that it’s the most unnerving decision I’ve made since packing a couple of suitcases 25 years ago and hopping back on to the Geruda return flight to London in order to catch a charter flight to Lod.

And if I can make it there, I’m gonna make it anywhere…

I was a 27-year-old adolescent, single and unemployed with vague dreams and sweet FA idea about how to implement them. I had some sort of vague delusion that here I would find or recreate myself, or both, and things would fall into place. It’s hardly the way your typical hardboiled Israeli would make a decision.
I recall that in London I stayed overnight at a friends place. There was no way on earth that I could put in words in that Camden Town squat what it was that I might be looking for in the provincial and parochial Levant. Bloody hell, a lot of water has flowed under the Yarkon Bridge since then.
As for some of those old dreams, lets say I jagged it. As for some of the others, they are still floating around somewhere out in the atmosphere waiting for the weatherman to locate them on the satellite map.
But now I’m at the crossroads again. This time too, I’ve made the decision to take the plunge. I know I’m not the only one. Not the first and not the last. But it’s still important to me.
At the end of this month I go on leave. Another few months and retirement actually kicks in. That’s as in early retirement. It’s a long way since that apprehensive night in Camden Town.
Most people congratulate me with a slap on the back as if I've already made it. The odd man out suggested that it’s unfair that the taxpayer should have to bankroll me for another 35 years.
“Why only 35?” I responded, “Why not til 120?”
What I didn’t say was, “Bugger you mate. I reckon I’ve paid my dues,” and that's only out of deference for his position.
From here on in I’ll be using the knowledge and experience I’ve accumulated in the last 20 years to help people, instead of screwing them (the usual Israeli idea of public service). I know I tend to underestimate the knowledge I’ve accrued. The last few years have taught me that.
I admit that in this twilight time between careers I have my fantasies where either I fall flat on my face or else I prove to the world that I haven’t forgotten what humble beginnings I came from. But I’m wizened enough not to take them too seriously. It’s been a short 25 years and it hasn’t been the easiest road that I’ve taken. I’m not quite that detached post adolescent kid I was 25 years ago. This dreamer has come up a few rungs in the last quarter of a century, though more in the sense of maturity and experience than in hierarchical advancement. And I’ve read Rich Dad Poor Dad too. The time has come to taste a little independence.
I have this sense of coming the full circle. I never accepted the attitude of those patronizing chauvinistic types who expect you to morph into clones of them, into little grey statistics for Zionism, like virtual canon fodder, as if you emigrated here to exist as mere extensions of their personalities for the benefit of their self-determination. I’ve survived in a sometimes harsh and unfeeling environment for more than 20 years, progressing from feigning apathy and indifference in order to camouflage cultural differences and the difficulty of competing against people with the home ground advantage (in more ways than one); growing in confidence and spirit and assertiveness, adapting and integrating, to the point where… now its time to part ways and try to do things my way. Now I want to do things as an expression of my personality, of my self-determination, in light of the education and values I integrated as a youngster.


This...little town.... blues
Are...melting away,
I gotta make a brand new start of it

… Maybe I’ll even leave an imprint

Read More......

Southern Cross Group Newsletter

Occasional Newsletter

No. 2 of 2009
9 June 2009


in this issue
Aussie Citizenship for Spouses and Partners
Citizenship and Visa Forms
Electoral Matters
New National Broadband Network
New War Cemetery at Fromelles, France
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
Fairer Compensation for Air Travellers
Expansion of Air Services Arrangements with the Philippines
Pension Reforms
New Social Security Agreements
Ministerial Changes
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
Government Response to the Australia 2020 Summit
Australia's National Reserve System
New N Series Australian Passport
Overseas Adoption Programs in Hong Kong and Taiwan
Changes to Tax Exemption for Australians Working Overseas
Women's Rights Strengthened
Free Trade Agreements
Diplomatic Appointments
Current Parliamentary and/or Government Reviews
Taxation
Superannuation
Web Sites of Interest

From the Editor

Greetings to all our readers around the world from (sometimes) sunny Brussels.

There are many pertinent developments from Australia to report in this issue which impact our global diaspora community. We are continuing to help many people make Australian citizenship applications. We are also hoping to see some positive recommendations on expatriate voting rights in the JSCEM's Report in the Electoral Matters Inquiry, due to be tabled at this stage in Parliament in Canberra on 22 June. And there's been a Cabinet reshuffle and changes to pension and social security agreement arrangements, among other news.

As usual, we welcome your feedback. Happy reading!

John (Sid) MacGregor
Editor
Canberra and Brussels
editor@southern-cross-group.org





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Sponsorship Opportunities

Would your business like to sponsor future editions of this newsletter? Sponsorship money is essential to enable the SCG to keep serving the Australian Diaspora. The SCG is entirely volunteer-run and has no paid staff. Sponsorship and donations help offset overheads such as web-hosting fees, postage, stationery, and other sundry outlays. Contact us for further information at info@southern-cross-group.org
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Australian Citizenship for non-Australian Spouses and Partners

Many people who live outside Australia and who are becoming Australian citizens under the 2007 Australian Citizenship Act are asking us whether their non-Australian spouse can become an Australian citizen as well.

There is a route to Australian citizenship for spouses and partners of existing Australian citizens, even when the couple lives outside Australia. The Australian spouse/partner can sponsor the non-Australian in the couple for a family visa. Once granted, the visa has to be validated by taking a trip into Australia. The trip can be just a holiday.



Where the relationship is long established, the non-Australian spouse or partner will usually be granted a permanent visa straight off - i.e. Australian permanent residency status. In other cases, the spouse/partner visa will initially be temporary, but if the relationship is still existing 2 years later, it can be changed to a permanent visa.

Once the permanent spouse/partner visa has been validated on entry to Australia and four years have passed, the non-Australian can apply for Australian citizenship by conferral using the special spouse residence discretion in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. The candidate has to pass the Australian Citizenship Test, but that can be taken at various DIAC test centres outside Australia.

Many non-Australian spouses and partners are now using this route to Australian citizenship, even while the couple don't live in Australia. For example, Belgian citizen Nicolas Portois was recently able to become an Australian citizen using the spouse residence discretion because he already had a permanent residency visa. On 24 April this year, Nicolas was sworn in as an Australian citizen at the Australian Embassy in Berlin after sitting and passing the Australian Citizenship Test last year.

Here's a picture of Nicolas, a proud new Aussie Belgian dual citizen, holding his new Australian citizenship certificate with his Australian wife Alison, under the watchful gaze of the Queen of Australia!


If you'd like more information on the route to Australian citizenship for a non-Australian spouse or partner, please get in touch.



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Citizenship and Visa Forms / New DIAC North American Phone Line
Those contemplating applying for Australian citizenship or visas should be aware that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) regularly updates its application forms. You need to submit your application on the version of the appropriate form that is current at the time of lodgement. Remember that if it has taken you some time to assemble all the necessary documentation, the last check you need to make is to ensure that you are using the correct form.

The DIAC website contains extensive guidance on applying for citizenship
.
Information on applying for visas is also available.

Direct links to the various citizenship forms and advice on which visa form to use are also on the website.

If you are in doubt as to which visa type best suits your needs use the Visa Wizard inter-active, award winning facility on the DIAC website.

If you are using DIAC's services in North America, please note that there is now a new telephone inquiry number: 1 905-280-1437. Lines are open 10 am to 5 pm Eastern Standard time. If you prefer to contact DIAC in North America via email, use this inquiry form.
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Electoral Matters

Electoral Reform Green Paper
On 17 December 2008 the Special Minister of State, John Faulkner, released the Government's Electoral Reform Green Paper - Donations, Funding and Expenditure, and invited submissions on the issues raised. He also indicated that the Government had plans for a later, second Green Paper on Electoral Reform, to be released in 2009, and invited submissions as to what should be covered in that second Green Paper.

The text of the first Green Paper may be downloaded. The Minister released the submissions received on 6 March 2009. The Southern Cross Group made a submision on 23 February 2009 reiterating the points it had made to the JSCEM in 2008 and asking that expat electoral issues be treated in the forthcoming second Green Paper.

JSCEM Inquiry Into the 2007 Election
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has now completed the public hearings in its inquiry into the 2007 Federal election. You will recall that the SCG made an extensive submission (Submission 158) to the Committee. The submission was directed at the adverse effect on overseas Australians of the existing legislation and current electoral procedures..

Links to the Inquiry's Terms of Reference, submissions received, Hansard reports on the public hearings and the Committee's interim report of 16 March 2009 are available on the Committee's website.

The public hearings have been largely concentrated on postal voting procedures and, to a large extent, on the funding issues such as those raised in the Government's first Green Paper. The SCG was not called upon to present evidence at a public hearing.

It is understood that the Committee's final report is to be tabled in Parliament on 22 June 2009 or shortly thereafter and to be available on the Committee's website when that has happened.
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New National Broadband Network
On 7 April 2009 the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced the establishment of a new company to build and operate a new super fast National Broadband Network. The Government will be the majority shareholder of this company, but significant private sector investment in the company is anticipated.

The Minister's media release outlines the plan of action for the company.
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New War Cemetery at Fromelles, France
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Allan Griffin, announced on 3 June 2009 that construction of the war cemetery at Fromelles, France had commenced.

The new cemetery is to be known as Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery and is where the remains of up to 400 Australian and British servicemen who died during the Battle of fromelles in Jul 1916 will be re-interred.
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Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
Those planning their return to Australia or to take a short break there, are reminded that they need to check the AQIS website well in advance of their departure for Australia. Remember that the rules and processes may have changed since the last time you entered Australia.
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Fairer Compensation for Air Travellers
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, announced on 29 January 2009 that Australians flying overseas will now receive fairer and timelier compensation in the event they lose their luggage, their flight is extensively delayed or they are involved in an airline accident.

The new arrangements follow Australia's ratification of the Montreal Convention. This multilateral agreement includes new, tougher liability regimes for:
The death or injury of a passenger;
The loss or damage to a passenger's baggage;
The loss or damage to a freight shipment; and
Delays to the scheduled arrival of a passenger, baggage or freight.
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Expansion of Air Services Arrangements with the Philippines
Minister Anthony Albanese announced on 19 March 2009 that Australia and The Philippines have agreed to new air services arrangements, opening the way for expanded services on the routes between the two countries.

Under the new arrangements, Australian and Philippine airlines are now able to offer up to 4,000 seats each way per week between major Australian destinations (Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and/or Sydney) and Manila and/or Clark in the Philippines.
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Pension Reforms
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, announced on 12 May 2009 that the qualifying age for the age pension will gradually increase from 65 to 67 by 2023. Theses changes will not affect current age pensioners. Only new entrants to the pension system from 1 July 2017 will be affected.

A number of other, more immediate reforms to the pension system were also announced by the Minister on 12 May 2009:
Simpler and more flexible pension system
Better targeting of the pension
A pension that keeps up with the cost of living
Three million Australian pensioners benefit from reforms
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New Social Security Agreements with Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Latvia

The Minister for Families, Housing and Community Services, Jenny Macklin, announced on 12 May 2009, that as part of the 2009-10 Budget, the Rudd Government has finalised negotiations with the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Latvia to introduce social security agreements.

From 2011, residents who have spent part of their adult lives in both Australia and these countries will be able to receive pensions from both countries.


Existing Agreements
Australia currently has 22 social security agreements, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the USA.

A new Agreement with Finland has been signed and is expected to commence on 1 July 2009.

Links to the text of all existing and new agreements are on the website of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
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Ministerial Changes
An number of changes to the Labor Ministry were announced by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, on 6 June 2009.
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Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
Changes to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme were announced by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, on 4 May 2009.
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Government Response to the Australia 2020 Summit
On 22 April 2009 the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, released the Government's response to the ideas raised by the 2020 summit.
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Australia's National Reserve System
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, released on 2 June 2009 a national blueprint to underpin better protection of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's National Reserve System Strategy 2009-2030 has been developed by the Commonwealth, states and territories, who have all agreed to work towards clear targets to secure long-term protection for Australia's terrestrial biodiversity.
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New N Series Australian Passport
On 28 May 2008 the Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, launched the new N series Australian passport. It features images of Australia printed throughout the document making every visa page unique. This has resulted in a passport which is very difficult to falsify through page substitution or tampering.tampering.

Remember that when applying for a passport you need to ensure that you have used the latest version of the application form. See the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade passports website for information.
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Overseas Adoption Programs in Hong Kong and Taiwan
On 27 February 2009 Attorney-General Robert McClelland announced the expansion of Australia's overseas adoption programs with Hong Kong and Taiwan.
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Changes to Tax Exemption fro Australians Working Overseas
In the 12 May budget the Government announced changes to the exemption available to Australian taxpayers in respect of income earbed overseas.
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Women's Rights Strengthened
On 4 March 2009 Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and the Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, welcomed the entry into force in Australia of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The Protocol will strengthen the rights of Australian women and provide a further measure to protect them against discrimination.
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Free Trade Agreements

Chile
The Australia-Chile FTA came into force on 6 March 2009.

Korea
The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-bak on 5 March 2009, that Australia and Korea had agreed to launch bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)
On 27 February 2009 Minister for Trade Simon Crean joined Trade Ministers from the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand in signing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Indonesia
The Minister for Trade Simon Crean and Indonesia's Minister for Trade, Dr Mari E Pangestu, met in Sydney on 19 February 2009 for talks aimed at strengthening the bilateral trade and investment relationship. Both Ministers welcomed the final draft of the Joint Feasibility Study on an Indonesia-Australia Free Trade Agreement. The study found that a comprehensive FTA would build on the solid foundation of the ASEAN-Australia New Zealand FTA and provide worthwhile gains for both countries.
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.
Diplomatic Appointments
The Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, has announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Sweden
Mr Hugh Borrowman is to be Australia's new Ambassador to Sweden.

Pakistan
Mr Tim George is to be Australia's new High Commissioner to Pakistan. Mr George is expected to take up his appointment in June 2009.


Soloman Islands
Mr Frank Ingruber is to be Australia's new High Commissioner to Solomon Islands. Mr Ingruber was expected to take up his appointment in early May 2009.

United Nations
Mr Gary Quinlan is to be Australia's new Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), New York. Mr Quinlan was expected to take up his appointment in May 2009.


New Zealand
Mr Paul O'Sullivan is Australia's new High Commissioner to New Zealand with concurrent accreditation to the Cook Islands.


Chile
Ms Virginia Greville is to be Australia's Ambassador to the Republic of Chile. Ms Greville is expected to take up her appointment in June 2009.

Los Angeles
Mr Chris De Cure OAM is Australia's new Consul-General in Los Angeles.

Climate Change
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, announced on 9 February 2009 that Ms Louise Hand has been appointed to be Australia's Ambassador for Climate Change.

Kiribati
Mr Brett Aldam is Australia's new High Commissioner to the Republic of Kiribati.

Brunei
Mr Mark Sawers is Australia's new High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam.

Nepal
Ms Susan Grace is Australia's new Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
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Current Parliamentary and/or Government Reviews

We list here the current reviews being undertaken at the direction of Government Ministers that we are aware of. Some may have little of no direct impact on expats but if you believe that you have a contribution to make, we encourage you to do so.

Review of Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency
Tanya Pilbersek, Minister for the Status of Women, has announced a review of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace and Agency (EOWA) and its underlying legislation (EOWW Act). The review will examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the agency and the legislation in promoting equal opportunity for women in the workplace. The review will begin with the release of an Issues Paper which will signal the start of the consultation process.

Migration and Disability Inquiry
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, the Hon Bill Shorten, announced on 15 May 2009 the terms of reference for an inquiry relating to the health requirement in the Migration Act. The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Migration will undertake the inquiry. As at the date of issue of this Newsletter the inquiry had not been listed on the Committee's website. Check at a later date for further information about the inquiry and any call for submissions.

Review Into the Governance, Efficiency, Structure and Operation of Australia's Superannuation System
On 29 May 2009 the Minister for Superation and Corporate Law, Senator Nick Sherry,announced the details of the review of the governance, efficiency, structure and operation of Australia's superannuation system. The review is to be conducted by an expert panel.

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Taxation
SCG Note
All we are seeking to do in regard to taxation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.

We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.

Tax Pack 2009
Foreign Exchange Rates
Capital Gains Tax update
Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) and HECS repayment thresholds andrates
Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) repayment thresholds and rates
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Superannuation
SCG Note
All we are seeking to do in regard to superannuation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.

We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.

Superannuation Information for temporary residents departing Australia
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Web Sites of Interest
From time to time we come across web sites that may be of interest to expats. Where appropriate, and where a commercial objective is not their primary purpose, we will mention them in the Newsletter.
In this issue:

Australian Disability Enterprises
The www.australiandisabilityenterprises.com.au website makes purchasing from Australian Disability Enterprises quick and easy. See the Ministerial statement of 24 April 2009.

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Spread the Word

Please feel free to forward this e-mail to someone you think will be interested. Clubs and other organisations receiving the Newsletter are also authorised to forward it to those on their mailing list. All we ask is that it be transmitted in full.

Should you wish to use only part of the Newsletter we ask that you acknowledge the source and include our website address.
...

Read More......

2009 Footy Tipping Season

As you know, the 2009 footy season starts next Thursday 26/3 with Carlton v Richmond kicking off the season!


You are invited to join the 'Footy in Israel' Tipping Competition.

It's easy to join and lots of fun!

Simply go to-

- www.footytips.com.au
- Go to 'Join a Comp'
- In there, type- Footy in Israel
- You'll be directed to a new page, the Password- isreal (it is spelt incorrectly and we're keeping it that way for tradition)


And from then on you simply follow the instructions!

In the past we used to charge for this competition but due to the challenge (difficulty) of collecting payments we decided not to do so anymore, therefore the competition is simply for KAVOD (honour )
With thanks to Paul Israel

Read More......

Southern Cross Group Newsletter

Occasional Newsletter
No. 5 of 6 June 2008 2008

In this issue
Australian Citizenship Applications.
Submissions to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
UN Convention on Discrimination Against Women
Same-Sex Discrimination in Commonwealth Superannuation Schemes
Intercountry Adoption
Government Proposes Ratification of UN Disabilities Convention
Diplomatic Appointments
Current Government Reviews
A Reminder from Australia's Border Agencies
New Technology Strengthening Australia's Borders
Free Trade Agreement with Chile
First Home Saver Accounts Scheme
Passenger Movement Charge to Increase
2020 Summit - Final Report
Anzac Day Dawn Service at Villers-Bretoneux
New Pre-Travel Authorization Program for US-Bound Travelers
Taxation
Web Sites of Interest.

A Message from the Editor

After recent amicable exchanges with DIAC staff in Canberra and at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC about delays in the processing of some Australian citizenship applications, we are seeking input from people who have already made citizenship applications which have not yet been decided. See the item below.

Submissions to the JSCEM parliamentary inquiry on the 2007 Australian federal election have now been posted to the Australian Parliament House website. Our thanks to the many overseas Australians who made their views known to the JSCEM. The SCG made a substantial submission on 28 May.

We hope you find the many other articles in this newsletter of interest and look forward to receiving your feedback.




Regards

John (Sid) MacGregor
Editor
Canberra and Brussels
editor@southern-cross-group.org
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Sponsorship Opportunities

Would your business like to sponsor future editions of this newsletter? Sponsorship money is essential to enable the SCG to keep serving the Australian Diaspora. The SCG is entirely volunteer-run and has no paid staff. Sponsorship and donations help offset overheads such as web-hosting fees, postage, stationery, and other sundry outlays. Contact us for further information at info@southern-cross-group.org
______________________________________________________________________________
When did you Submit your Australian Citizenship Application?

The SCG is presently working with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to try to improve Australian citizenship application processing times. A number of applicants have been concerned about long delays and we have been taking up individual cases with DIAC.

Help us to help you by letting us know immediately if you have lodged a citizenship application which has not yet been decided. In particular, if you lodged your application via the Australian Embassy in Washington, we would like to hear from you.

An e-mail to anne@southern-cross-group.org with the following details would be appreciated:
Your full name
Your address
Your date and place of birth
Whether you have applied for resumption, citizenship by descent, or by conferral
The date you sent your application or lodged it in person
Where your application was sent to or lodged in person
Details of any communication you have received from the DIAC or the post at which you lodged the application since it was sent/filed.
We will engage with the Department concerning your application to try to make sure it is decided as quickly as possible.
If for any reason an e-mail response is not possible, then please send a short note to Anne MacGregor, 17 Ave C. Gilisquet, 1030 Brussels, Belgium, or phone her on +32 474 950 131.

If you have yet to submit your Australian citizenship application, then don't forget we are here to help you. If you feel overwhelmed by the process or are stuck on a particular point, then please get in touch. Hundreds of people are now happy Australian citizens under the new Citizenship Act, and we want you to benefit as well!

If you've already had your citizenship application approved, and haven't let us know, we'd be grateful for an update from you on how it all went.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Submissions to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM)

As of 6 June 2008, 159 submissions made to the JSCEM Inquiry into the 2007 Federal Election have been posted to the submissions page of the inquiry website. The Southern Cross Group's primary submission plus annexes dated 28 May 2008 is included as No. 158 and can be accessed here.

The SCG has called for amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to solve the expat disenfranchisement problem, arguing that the High Court's 2007 reasons in the Roach case may well mean that current legislation is unconstitutional, and that in any event it is time for a re-think on the engagement of the diaspora in the Australian electoral process.

The SCG has also stressed that even if the law is not changed, the AEC must do far more to make sure that Australians going overseas and those already living overseas are properly educated on the rules on enrolment and voting that apply to them once offshore.

All feedback on the SCG's submission is welcome. E-mail your comments to info@southern-cross-group.org.

Dates for public hearings by the Committee have not yet been advised. You can keep up to date with progress in the inquiry by checking the Inquiry website.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Australia Moves Towards UN Convention on Discrimination Against Women
On 23 May 2008 the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and the Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, announced that steps have begun for Australia to accede to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
____________________________________________________________________________________
Legislation to End Same-Sex Discrimination in Commonwealth Superannuation Schemes
The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws - Superannuation) Bill 2008 was introduced into Parliament by the Attorney-General Robert McClelland on 28 May 2008. The Bill makes amendments so that same-sex couples are no longer denied the payment of death benefits from superannuation schemes or the tax concessions on death benefits currently made available to opposite-sex couples. The associated media release makes it clear that the Bill applies only to Commonwealth Government schemes listed in the media release. Private sector schemes are not covered by the Bill.



The text of the Bill, its explanatory memoranda, and the Minister's extensive second reading speech are available via the links on the Bills webpage.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Intercountry Adoption
On 21 May 2008 the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, opened the inaugural meeting of the National Overseas Adoption Support Group, which was established by the Rudd Government to provide a voice for the intercountry adoption community. See the media release and his speech.

For people wanting more information about the steps being taken by the Government regarding intercountry adoption, the Attorney-General's department has launched a new comprehensive website. Note that the information relates to adoptions by Australian residents.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Government Proposes Ratification of UN Disabilities Convention
On 4 June 2008 the Government tabled in the Parliament a National Interest Analysis which proposes that Australia ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. See the media release.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Diplomatic Appointments
Poland
Ho Chi Minh City
Shanghai
The 30 May 2008 media releases from the Minister for Foreign Affairs announcing each of these appointments are to be found on his media release web page.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Current Government Reviews
We list here some of the current reviews being undertaken at the direction of Government Ministers that we are aware of. Some may have little of no direct impact on expats but if you believe that you have a contribution to make, we encourage you to do so.


Review of Patentable Subject Matter
The Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) seeks expressions of interest from individuals and organisations to take part in a review of patentable subject matter. ACIP expects to circulate an Issues Paper in July with a request for written submissions by September.

ACIP has two other reviews in hand:
Review of post-grant Patent Enforcement Strategies
Review of enforcement of Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR)
Details


Govt. Green Paper on Reform of Financial services and Credit Regulation
On 3 June 2008 the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Senator Nick Sherry, released a green paper which outlines a way forward for the Commonwealth and states to transfer the remaining financial services regulation from the State level. Under the plan, financial services, including mortgages, mortgage brokers, margin lending, non-bank lending and trustee companies, will move to the Federal level. Submissions on the green paper are invited and close on 1 July 2008.
See the Minister's media release and the green paper


Consultation Paper on Increasing Access to simple Superannuation Advice
The Government has released a consultation paper on increasing access to simple superannuation advice. The paper seeks comment on regulatory and other steps that could be taken to improve Australians' access to low-cost financial advice within their superannuation fund. The advice would seek to answer member queries on issues including investment choice, insurance, contribution types, nominating beneficiaries and retirement income projections. Closing date for public submissions is 15 July 2008. See the media release of 30 May 2008 and the consultation paper.

Digital Television Switchover Discussion Paper
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has announced the release of a discussion paper covering a legislative framework for the digital television switchover. Submissions are due by 4 July 2008.
See the media release and the discussion paper.


Defence Discussion Paper and Community Consultation Program
The Minister for Defence, theJoel Fitzgibbon, has launched the Defence White Paper Community Consultation Program and released a public discussion paper 'Key Questions for Defence in the 21st Century'.
See the media release and the discussion paper.
____________________________________________________________________________________

A Reminder from Australia's Border Agencies
Australian Customs and Australian Quarantine issued a joint reminder on 22 May 2008 to persons arriving in Australia about the customs and quarantine rules applying to them.
__________________________________________________________________________________
New Technology Strengthening Australia's Borders
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced on 20 May 2008 that new technology is now in place at international airports and seaports that will help strengthen Australia's border security.

He said "In assessing whether a person is eligible to enter the country, Immigration staff have access to the passenger's travel history, travel documentation, contact information, known aliases as well as the status of any security checks."
____________________________________________________________________________________
Free Trade Agreement with Chile
Om 27 May 2008 the Minister for Trade, Simon Creen, announced that Australia has concluded a free trade agreement with Chile. Mr Crean said he expected the Agreement to be signed in late July, and to enter into force on 1 January 2009 following ratification in each country.

The Minister's statement to Parliament and the Opposition response is to be found at pages 32 to 35 of the HoR Hansard of 27 May 2008.
_________________________________________________________________________________
First Home Saver Accounts Scheme
As reported in an earlier Newsletter, the Government is introducing a First Home Saver Accounts Scheme. Three Bills to give effect to this were introduced in the Parliament on 28 May 2008 - see pages 1 to 2 of the HoR Hansard of that day.

The explanatory memoranda for two of the Bills may be found by using the links on the following web pages: FIRST HOME SAVER ACCOUNTS BILL 2008 and FIRST HOME SAVER ACCOUNTS (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2008
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Passenger Movement Charge to Increase
As one of its Budget measures the Government has introduced a Bill into Parliament to increase the Passenger Movement Charge, applied to all deprtures from Australia, by $A9 to $A47 from 1 July 2008. The second reading speech by the Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, when introducing the Bill for the increase is to be found at pages 7 to 8 of the HoR Hansard of 28 May 2008.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2020 Summit - Final Report
The Final Report of the 2020 Summit was published on 31 May 2008. Various downloadable versions are in seval file formats. Prime Minister's media release.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Anzac Day Dawn Service at Villers-Bretoneux to be an Annual Event
The Government has committed to holding an Anzac Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux as an annual event.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
New Pre-Travel Authorization Program for US-Bound Travelers from Visa Waiver Program Countries
The US Department of Homeland Security announced on 3 June 2008 that a new Electronic System for Travel Authorities (ESTA) will commence on a voluntary basis from 1 August 2008 and from 12 January 2009 on a mandatory basis. ESTA applies to all nationals from countries in the visa waiver program which includes Australia. The new system will require travellers to receive an electronic travel authorization 3 days prior to boarding a US-bound airplane or cruise ship.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Taxation
SCG Note
All we are seeking to do in regard to taxation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.

We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.

ATO Advices
Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) - Voluntary Repayments
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) update 2007-2008 income year
Foreign exchange rates to end May 2008
Withholding Arrangements for Managed Fund Distributions to Foreign Residents
In the 2008 Budget the Government announced it will introduce a final withholding regime imposing tax on fund payments from managed investment trusts to non-residents investors at a rate which will reduce to 7.5% over a three year implementation period. The measure will restrict the reduced rate to residents of countries with which Australia has effective exchange of information.

The details of the arrangements are covered in a press release issued jointly by the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs.

Two Bills were introduced into the HoR on 4 June 2008 to give effect to this change. The texts of the Bills, their explanatory memoranda, and the Minister's second reading speech are accessible through the links on the following web pages:
Tax Laws Amendment (Election Commitments No. 1) Bill 2008
Income Tax (Managed Investment Trust Transitional) Bill 2008
Medicare Levy Changes
In the Budget the Government announced that it was raising the thresholds for the Medicare levy applicable to higher income earners who do not have private health insurance. Two Bills to give effect to this were introduced into the Parliament on 27 May 2008 - see pages 45 to 46 of the HoR Hansard for that day.


Explanatory memoranda explaining the Bills may be seen by using the links on the following web pages:
TAX LAWS AMENDMENT (MEDICARE LEVY AND MEDICARE LEVY SURCHARGE) BILL 2008
TAX LAWS AMENDMENT (MEDICARE LEVY SURCHARGE THRESHOLDS) BILL 2008

TaxPack 2008
The ATO has released information about the availability of the various TaxPacks needed to lodge your 2008 income tax return, including arrangements for those overseas.
________________________________________________________________________________

Web Sites of Interest
From time to time we come across web sites that may be of interest to expats. Where appropriate, and where a commercial objective is not their primary purpose, we will mention them in the Newsletter.
In this issue:
Australian Government Information Portal
Just a reminder that if you have not looked at the Government's information portal www.australia.gov.au for some time it may worth having a look again. It contains links to regularly updated information about a very wide range of Government services that is of potential interest to Australians and non-Australians both in Australia and overseas.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Spread the Word

Please feel free to forward this e-mail to someone you think will be interested. Clubs and other organisations receiving the Newsletter are also authorised to forward it to those on their mailing list. All we ask is that it be transmitted in full.

Should you wish to use only part of the Newsletter we ask that you acknowledge the source and include our website address.
______________________________________________________________________________



SCG Contact Information

Newsletter EditorJohn (Sid) MacGregoreditor@southern-cross-group.org
Continental EuropeAnne MacGregoranne@southern-cross-group.org
UK & IrelandEric Browneric@southern-cross-group.org
North AmericaRobyn Stephensonrobyn@southern-cross-group.org
AsiaEd Smithed@southern-cross-group.org
AustraliaJacqui Mowbrayjacqui@southern-cross-group.org


The Contact Us pages on our site list the SCG volunteer nearest you.
Go to the SCG Home Page.

Read More......

Southern Cross Group Newsletter

Occasional Newsletter

No. 4 of 2008 15 May 2008
In this issue
JSCEM Inquiry into the 2007 Federal Election
Federal Budget 2008-2009
Citizenship Application Forms Have Changed
Support Arrangements for War Brides and their Families
New Social Security Agreements
By-Election in the Federal Seat of Gippsland
Time to Check Your Electoral Status ?
Federal Parliament
Current Government Reviews
Government to Implement Industry Report on Skilled Migration
Developments on Free Trade Agreements (FTA)
Government to Introduce Legislation to Remove Same Sex Discrimination
Taxation

From the Editor

Only a few days remain for submissions to the JSCEM's parliamentary inquiry into the 2007 federal election. If you haven't put finger to keyboard yet, we strongly urge you to do so by Friday 16 May. It's crucial to tell Canberra your experiences as an overseas voter, or, if you are presently disenfranchised under Australian electoral law while living abroad, to make your views known to those who have it within their power to change the law. See further our special article below.

It's also time to farewell and say thank you to our SCG volunteer war brides coordinator, Ken Lankard, who, as a proud new Australian citizen, is about to move to Queensland from Los Angeles.

And some Australian citizenship application forms have just changed (again). Make sure you use the most up-to-date form when you make your citizenship application.

We hope you find all the articles in this newsletter of interest and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Regards


John (Sid) MacGregor
Editor
Canberra and Brussels
editor@southern-cross-group.org


____________________________________________________________________________


Sponsorship Opportunities



Would your business like to sponsor future editions of this newsletter? Sponsorship money is essential to enable the SCG to keep serving the Australian Diaspora. The SCG is entirely volunteer-run and has no paid staff. Sponsorship and donations help offset overheads such as web-hosting fees, postage, stationery, and other sundry outlays. Contact us for further information at info@southern-cross-group.org
______________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: JSCEM Inquiry into the 2007 Federal Election

Have your say now!

A reminder that the Australian federal parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) is presently conducting an inquiry into the 2007 federal election. This is your chance to tell Canberra your experiences with the Australian electoral system as an expat Australian. We encourage all expats to have their say. In particular, those who are disenfranchised because they can no longer enrol are strongly encouraged to speak up.

Submissions do not need to be long or particularly formal and can be in the form of a simple email to jscem@aph.gov.au. Don't feel shy - the main thing is to get your views across.

You can also make an email submission directly from the SCG's website where we set out some ideas for your submission.

The closing date for submissions is this Friday 16 May 2008. However, if you need a few more days, e-mail the JSCEM, ask nicely, and you may be lucky enough to be granted an extension.

See also our media release of 30 April 2008.

To solve the large-scale disenfranchisement issue presently faced by the Australian diaspora, we need amendments to electoral law. Recommendations by the JSCEM as a result of past inquiries into elections have very often resulted in legislative change. It takes time, but it does happen. This inquiry is your chance to put your story in front of the JSCEM. We are hopeful that the new Rudd government will give this matter serious consideration. The SCG will be making a submission as an organisation, but your individual submission is also very important.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Federal Budget 2008-2009

Treasurer Wayne Swan brought down the 2008-2009 federal budget on Tuesday, 13 May 2008.
While there are a number of significant changes affecting those living in Australia which may also apply to some expats, there is little of direct impact on overseas Australians other than slight increases in the cost of passports and Australian visas.

An overview of the budget may be gained from the Treasurer's speech as recorded in the HoR Hansard beginning at page 43. For a more detailed coverage you will need to check out the websites of the various Australian media organisations, or the media release pages of the various Ministers as at 14 May.

The pre-budget submission which the SCG made to the Treasurer in January proposing that an Expatriate and Diaspora Office should be established in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Some Citizenship Application Forms Have Changed (Again)!

If you are a person born outside Australia to an Australian citizen and planning to apply for Australian citizenship by descent, please note that a new edition of Form 118 must now be used. The October 2007 edition and earlier editions are no longer valid.

If you have plans to make an application to resume your Australian citizenship, note that Form 132 has also just been updated. Any print outs or hard copies of previous editions of Form 132 you may have should be thrown away. Only the April 2008 version should be used. Look on the bottom right hand corner of the form for the edition date.

If you are a person born outside Australia to a former Australian citizen, you need to use Form 1290 to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral. The September 2007 version of Form 1290 remains valid at the present time.

If you are the spouse of an Australian citizen, and an Australian permanent resident, and you are planning to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral using the spouse residence discretion in the new Act, you first need to sit the Australian citizenship test, and once you have passed, apply using Form 1300t. If you would like more information on this procedure, e-mail us at info@southern-cross-group.org.

Forms now in pdf-fillable format. We are very pleased to see that DIAC has at last made available on its website pdf-fillable versions of all citizenship application forms. The SCG has pressed for this for some time. This means you can save the blank form off the www.citizenship.gov.au website to your hard drive, and then fill out most of it on screen and save it again, before printing out a hard copy to sign and submit. This is much easier and neater than filling in a hard copy of the form entirely by hand.

Don't forget, if you need help and advice with your Australian citizenship application, our volunteers are here to help you. If you have already recently obtained your citizenship under the new Act, then we'd also be pleased if you could let us know. It boosts our volunteers to hear success stories!

Further information on Australian citizenship is available on the SCG website.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Changes to SCG Citizenship Application Support Arrangements for War Brides and their Families

Ken Lankard, who has been the Southern Cross Group's volunteer War Brides Co-ordinator in North America for several years is moving on. Ken is himself the US-born son of an Australian-born WW2 war bride. He applied for and obtained Australian citizenship by descent last year after the entry into force of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. Now the proud owner of a new Australian passport, Ken, a commercial pilot, has decided to move to Queensland on a permanent basis from July. This means he will no longer be on hand in California to field calls and e-mails from the Australian war bride community around the USA. His Ventura, CA PO Box and telephone and fax numbers are now out of service.

Ken has been a stalwart and valued member of the SCG Committee for a number of years, and on behalf of the SCG's entire volunteer team and the many war brides and their families he has helped we thank him sincerely and wish him well for his new life in Oz. Many people will remember meeting Ken in Washington DC during the ANZAC Day events for war brides in April 2007.

Taking over responsibilities for us in respect of initial contact from war brides and their children in North America will be our long serving North American Co-ordinator Robyn Stephenson. Her contact details are:
530 William Street
Zeeland, Michigan 49464
Tel. +1 (616) 748 7993
robyn@southern-cross-group.org
Many war brides and their families have also been in touch with our Co-founder and lawyer, Anne MacGregor in Brussels, who has carried out legal assessments for many individuals on their eligibility to apply for Australian citizenship under the new Act. Her contact details are:
Ave Charles Gilisquet 17
1030 Brussels
Belgium
Tel +32 2 735 0436
anne@southern-cross-group.org
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New Social Security Agreements with Finland and Poland

On 13 May 2008 the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin announced that Australia is to finalise negotiations with Finland and Poland to introduce social security agreements to improve access to pensions for residents of those countries. This is good news for Australians who presently live and work in or who in the past may have lived and worked in those two countries.

Details of Australia's current social security agreements with some 19 countries are accessible through the links on the relevant page of the Department's website.

New bilateral social security agreements have also been signed with:
Greece - no commencement date yet.
Korea - expected to commence 1 October 2008.
Japan - expected to commence 1 January 2009.

Use this link to read the details of these three agreements.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By-Election in the Federal Seat of Gippsland

There is to be a by-election for the electoral division of Gippsland on Saturday 28 June 2008. The by-election will elect a new Member to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives following the resignation of the Member for Gippsland. Information about the by-election is contained in the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) media release of 5 May 2008.

If you are enrolled in the Division and have recently moved overseas on a permanent basis, or will move overseas before 28 June, and have not registered as an eligible overseas elector, you should check the information provided on the relevant page of the AEC website.

A NOTE OF CAUTION
A quick reading of the information on that page might suggest to you that you should complete the Overseas Notification Form. This will remove you from the roll and you will not be able to vote while overseas. If you wish to retain your right to vote while overseas then you should use the link on the page which reads Registration as an overseas elector.

The page also contains information applicable to those who have recently become entitled to enrol, that is those who have reached the age of 18 or will do so before 28 June 2008 and have not previously enrolled. Use the links which read Enrolment from outside Australia OR Registering as a child or spouse of an overseas elector.

Information about casting a postal vote in the by-election is also available on the AEC website.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Time to Check Your Electoral Status ?

Regardless of whether or not you are affected by the Gippsland by-election, now is probably a good time to check your federal electoral status.

Some of the factors which could affect your status include:
Many electors, including some Eligible Overseas Electors (EOEs), will have been removed from the roll by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for failing to vote at the 2007 election.
Routine cross-matching processes or routine post-election action by the AEC may have failed to confirm your presence at your registered address resulting in your removal from the roll.
You may have left Australia recently without considering what to do about your electoral status.
Your three year window of opportunity to enrol from overseas may be approaching a close.
You, or someone you know, may have recently become eligible for enrolment but have not yet taken the necessary action.
You may have recently returned to, and resided in, Australia for one month or more which could entitle you to re-enrolment.
As an EOE you may have changed your postal or e-mail address from that previously notified to the AEC.
Your six year period of entitlement to vote as an EOE may be drawing to a close. One year extensions are possible but you must act within the three months immediately prior to the end of your EOE entitlement.
The SCG has prepared extensive advisory material on the arrangements for voting from overseas.

You should also check the information available on the AEC website.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Federal Parliament

The Winter Session of Parliament commenced on 13 May 2008 and sitting schedule indicates that it will run through to 26 June 2008.

The Ministry, sitting schedule and the schedule of legislation proposed for introduction this session are available through the PM&C What's New page.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Current Government Reviews

We list here the current reviews being undertaken at the direction of Government Ministers that we are aware of. Some may have little of no direct impact on expats but if you believe that you have a contribution to make, we encourage you to do so.

Independent Review of Citizenship Test
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced on 28 April 2008 that an independent committee of seven eminent Australians will review the citizenship test. The review committee has established a website and invites submissions from the public. An online submission form is provided with the closing date for submissions being 30 May 2008.

Review of Export Policies and Programs
A review of Australia's export policies and programs is currently underway. While submissions were expected to be submitted by 2 May 2008, you will find details on the website of the DFAT Review Panel.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Government to Implement Industry Report on Skilled Migration

On 5 May 2008 the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced that the Government is moving quickly to implement the recommendations made by an External Reference Group (ERG) established to improve Australia's temporary skilled migration program.

The media release contains links to the final report of the reference group and its list of recommendations.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Developments on Free Trade Agreements (FTA)

Korea
In a media release on 22 April 2008 the Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, welcomed the key findings of a non-government study into the feasibility of a free trade agreement between Australia and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

India
In his media release of 11 April 2008 the Minister announced that Australia and India have agreed terms of reference for the Australia-India free trade agreement (FTA) feasibility study.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Government to Introduce Legislation to Remove Same Sex Discrimination from a Wide Range of Commonwealth Laws

On 30 April 2008 the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland announced that legislation to remove same-sex discrimination from a wide range of Commonwealth laws will be introduced in the current sittings of Parliament.

The schedule of legislation proposed for introduction this session contains the following entry:
Same-Sex Relationships (Provision of Equal Entitlements) Bill (No. 1) *

- introduce the first stage of amendments to laws that currently discriminate on the basis of sexuality and provide for differential treatment of same-sex couples and their children, compared to opposite-sex couples and their children.

Once the Bill is introduced into the House of Representatives, details of the proposed changes should be apparent from the Explanatory Statement that accompanies the Bill. ______________________________________________________________________________________
Taxation

SCG Note

All we are seeking to do in regard to taxation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.



We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.


New ATO Advices
Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) indexation rate
Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) indexation rates
Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) repayment thresholds and rates
Higher Education Loan Programme(HELP) and HECS repayment thresholds and rates
Foreign exchange rates for April 2008
______________________________________________________________________________




SCG Contact Information


Newsletter Editor
John (Sid) MacGregor
editor@southern-cross-group.org

Continental Europe
Anne MacGregor
anne@southern-cross-group.org

UK & Ireland
Eric Brown
eric@southern-cross-group.org

North America
Robyn Stephenson
robyn@southern-cross-group.org

Asia
Ed Smith
ed@southern-cross-group.org

Australia
Jacqui Mowbray
jacqui@southern-cross-group.org




The Contact Us pages on our site list the SCG volunteer nearest you.

Go to the SCG Home Page.

Find out more about the SCG.

_______________________________________________________________

Read More......

Southern Cross Group Newsletter

Occasional Newsletter

No.3 of 2008 9 April 2008
in this issue
Australian Parliament
Australian Daylight Saving Ends
Australian Research Council Fellowships
Diplomatic Appointments
PM Meets Expats in Washington
Inquiry Into the 2007 Federal Elections
Electoral Reform
Government Outlook on Women
New Forum for Young Australians
Financial Literacy Fact Sheets for Women
Review of Export Policies and Programs
New National Peak Group On Intercountry Adoption
Australian and Canadian Accounting Bodies Sign Mutual Recognition Agreements
2020 Summit
Government Perspective on International Education
Taxation
Superannuation
Expanded Online Services from the ABC
Web Sites of Interest
From the Editor

As will be apparent from several articles in this Newsletter, the new Rudd Government is seeking input from organistions and individuals on a wide range of topics. (There are many other issues up for comment which we have not seen as directly impacting on expats).

Over the years since the establishment of the Southern Cross Group (SCG) in 2000 it has been painfully obvious that the welfare and interests of Australia's Diaspora has been given scant attention by politicians, their advisors or public servants when new policies and changes to legislation are being developed. Thankfully there are now encouraging signs that there is a change in the air of late.

However, those who prepared the ten lengthy background papers for the 2020 summit seem to have ignored the Diaspora completely except for part of one question -
"How can we leverage (my emphasis) both our multicultural society and the Australians who live abroad to better contribute to Australia's continued prosperity?"

To me that sounds very heavily weighted towards the "Take" side of the required "Give and take" equation that is needed in looking at the value of the Diaspora to Australia. In other words, if you want the Diaspora to contribute towards the well being of Australia and Australians, you have to recognise and demonstrate that Australian citizens living overseas are an integral part of the Australian community and that they should enjoy the same considerations and privileges that are given to those living in Australia.

If we are to move towards that position of equality then you, the individual expat, need to seize the opportunities presented by the Government's thirst for external input to raise the profile of the expat community by making appropriate submissions on the issues in question. After all, your experience in an external environment may just strike a chord with the Government. And remember, those tasked with analysing community input are not the politicians themselves but their advisers and public servants, or, in some cases, Parliamentary staff. They are the ones who will value and remember good ideas.

On a lighter note, we hope you find the range of articles in this newsletter of interest and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Regards


John (Sid) MacGregor
Editor
Canberra and Brussels
editor@southern-cross-group.org


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Sponsorship Opportunities



Would your business like to sponsor future editions of this newsletter? Sponsorship money is essential to enable the SCG to keep serving the Australian Diaspora. The SCG is entirely volunteer-run and has no paid staff. Sponsorship and donations help offset overheads such as web-hosting fees, postage, stationery, and other sundry outlays. Contact us for further information at info@southern-cross-group.org
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Australian Parliament

Both houses of Parliament rose for the Autumn break on 20 March. The next sitting commences on 13 May on which day the 2008-09 budget will be presented.

The previous plan for the House of Representatives to sit on Fridays has been abandoned. A revised Schedule of Sitting Days has been published. It is available via the link on the Parliamentary Information website of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Remember that you are able to track the progress of any Bills introduced in the Parliament that are of interest to you via the Daily Bills List.
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Australian Daylight Saving Ends

Daylight saving ended in Western Australia on Sunday, 30 March. It ended in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT on Sunday, 6 April. Queensland and the Northern Territory did not observe daylight saving.
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Australian Research Council Fellowships to Become More International

On 26 March 2008 the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (IISR), Senator Kim Carr, announced that Australian Research Council (ARC) fellowships will be progressively opened to greater international competition, including the new Future Fellowships scheme.

Other changes announced by the Minister include:
Allowing Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry), available under the ARC Linkage scheme, to be awarded to the highest calibre postgraduate students irrespective of nationality;

Removing restrictions on the use of ARC funds for travel for international collaborators; and

Making enhanced international collaboration a priority for all ARC fellowship schemes.
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Diplomatic Appointments

Egypt

On 6 March 2008, Stephen Smith, the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced the appointment of Ms Stephanie Shwabsky as Australia's new Ambassador to Egypt with concurrent accreditation to a number of other regional states. Ms Shwabsky will replace Dr Bob Bowker who has been Ambassador since January 2005. Ms Shwabsky is expected to take up her appointment in May 2008.

Burma

On 4 April 2008 the Minister announced the appointment of Ms Michelle Chan as Australia's new Ambassador to Burma. Ms Chan will succeed Mr Bob Davis who has been Ambassador since April 2005. Ms Chan is expected to take up her appointment in June 2008.
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PM Meets Expats in Washington

The Prime Minister's website carries the text of a doorstop interview given by Kevin Rudd on 30 March 2008 at his meeting with Australian expats in Washington.

Note the Ambassador's comment about the date on which Mr Rudd raised the possibility of meeting some expats on his visit to the US.
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Inquiry Into the 2007 Federal Elections

On 27 February 2008 the Special Minister for State, Senator John Faulkner, asked the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to inquire into and report on all aspects of the 2007 Federal Election and matters related thereto.

The holding of such inquiries is standard practice after each federal election.

Terms of reference for the Inquiry have been published and the closing date for submissions has been set for Friday, 16 May 2008.

As usual, the Southern Cross Group will be making a submission to the Inquiry. Our plans and our call for expats to make their own submissions will be the subject of a special SCG E-bulletin to be issued soon once our site submission template has been prepared.
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Electoral Reform

On 28 March 2008 the Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner, announced proposed changes to the Australian Electoral Act and the preparation of an electoral reform green paper to be issued in two parts later this year.
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Government Outlook on Women - Current Issues and Future Agenda

On 7 March 2008 the Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, delivered a speech to a Women's Business colloquium in Sydney in which she outlined current issues faced by women and the Government's plans for change.
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Proposed New Forum for Young Australians

On 17 March 2008 the Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, issued a media release calling on young Australians to help shape the new forum that will allow them to participate in government policy development and decision making. The submission period closes on 30 May 2008.
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New Financial Literacy Fact Sheets for Women

The Minister for the Status of Womrn, Tanya Plibersek, has announced a new initiative that will assist women who want to better manage their money. The Women Understanding Money fact sheets, available online, are designed to help women of all ages and income levels improve their financial security, especially as they approach retirement.
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Review of Export Policies and Programs

On 21 February 2008 the Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, announced a comprehensive review of Australia's Export Policies and Programs to be conducted by Mr David Mortimer AO together with Dr John Edwards.
The Review will assess Australia's export and investment performance. It will make recommendations on future policies and programs to promote exports and investment flows, develop export capacity and enhance Australia's international competitiveness.

A Key Issues Paper has now been released and the panel is calling for submissions. Closing date is 2 May 2008.
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New National Peak Group On Intercountry Adoption

On 30 March 2008 the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, announced the establishment of Australia's first National Peak Overseas Adoption Support Group.
"I am particularly pleased the Peak Group is being established. It will provide an important, national voice on the complex issues involved in intercountry adoption." Mr McClelland said.

The Group will provide advice to the Government on issues of relevance to the intercountry adoption community and enables a direct line of communication between them.

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Australian and Canadian Accounting Bodies Sign Mutual Recognition Agreements

CPA Australia has announced that it has signed mutual recognition agreements with Canada's two leading accounting bodies - Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA-Canada) and Certified Management Accountants Canada (CMA Canada).

The agreements, among other things, will establish guidelines on how qualified members can gain reciprocal membership.
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2020 Summit

The 2020 Summit is to be held in Canberra over the weekend of 19-20 April 2008.

The names of the 1000 delegates selected to attend were announced on 28 March.

Background papers on each of the 10 topics for discussion were launched on 3 April. Note that the only mention of the expatriate community appears as part of one of the questions put to delegates attending the sessions for the final topic "Australia's Future in the World".
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Government Perspective on International Education

In a speech delivered on 8 April 2008 Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, outlined the Government's perspectives on the current state of international education both for foreign students in Australia and for Austalians studying overseas.

Comments in the speech included:
"To encourage more Australian students to realise the opportunity (to study overseas), the department will be launching a 'Study Overseas' online portal in the middle of this year. This practical tool will highlight the benefits to Australian students of an overseas study experience".
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Taxation

SCG Note

All we are seeking to do in regard to taxation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.



We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.


Revised Tax Treaty with South Africa

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen, has announced that Australia and the Republic of South Africa have signed a new Protocol to revise the tax treaty between the two countries which was signed in 1999.

OECD Report - Taxing Wages 2006/2007

"This annual publication provides details of taxes paid on wages in all thirty member countries of the OECD. The information contained in the Report covers the personal income tax and social security contributions paid by employees and their employers, and cash benefits received by families. The objective of the Report is to illustrate how personal income taxes and social security contributions are calculated and to examine how these levies and cash family benefits impact on net household incomes. The results also allow quantitative cross-country comparisons of labour cost levels and of the overall tax and benefit position of single persons and families."

The report, published on 11 March 2008, is some 465 pages long and, for most, purchase of the full report would not be justified. However, some useful summary information is given on the OECD website - enough to let you compare the position in your country of residence with that applying in Australia.

Tax File Number and Proof of Identity for Those Resident Outside Australia

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued two advices for those living outside Australia who are required to pay Australian taxes:
Tax File Number - application or inquiry for an individual living outside Australia
Proof of Identity - for individuals and businesses resident outside Australia
To display the full text of the advice on your screen click on the printer icon at the top right of the ATO page.

Rental Properties

The ATO has just published several advisories regarding rental property:
Avoiding common mistakes
Claiming borrowing expenses
Claiming legal expenses
Claiming interest expenses
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Superannuation

SCG Note

All we are seeking to do in regard to superannuation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.



We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.


Make the Most of Your Super

The Australian Taxation Office has published an article on making the most of your super. "Taking advantage of a few superannuation concessions and resources now could mean the difference between a modest retirement saving, and a generous one."

Superannuation Statistics

For the very technically minded the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has published its Annual Superannuation Bulletin containing a wide range of superannuation statistics for the 2006-07 finacial year.

Government Priorities for Superannuation

The Government's priorities for superannuation policy over the coming year were outlined in a speech on 31 March 2008 by the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Senator Nick Sherry.

Several other issues are covered in an interview given by Senator Sherry on 16 March 2008.
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Expanded Online Services from the ABC

The ABC recently made a number of changes which greatly expand their online radio and TV-based services that will enable expats and others to download material to their computers. Podcasts of a number of radio programs are available as are vodcasts of a number of regular programs on ABC 1 and ABC 2.
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Web Sites of Interest

From time to time we come across web sites that may be of interest to expats. Where appropriate, and where a commercial objective is not their primary purpose, we will mention them in the Newsletter.

In this issue:

Anzac Day
Anzac Day ceremonies are being planned for many locations around the world. Find the details on the Anzac Day page of the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.
http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/anzac/index.htm

Many of our overseas missions have, or will have, further details on their websites which you can find through the links provided by DFAT at http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/

Newcomers Network
Newcomers Network is an Australian-based organisation looking after the interests of newcomers to Australia, especially returning expats.
http://www.newcomersnetwork.com/nn/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/



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SCG Contact Information


Newsletter Editor
John (Sid) MacGregor
editor@southern-cross-group.org

Continental Europe
Anne MacGregor
anne@southern-cross-group.org

UK & Ireland
Eric Brown
eric@southern-cross-group.org

North America
Robyn Stephenson
robyn@southern-cross-group.org

Asia
Ed Smith
ed@southern-cross-group.org

Australia
Jacqui Mowbray
jacqui@southern-cross-group.org




The Contact Us pages on our site list the SCG volunteer nearest you.

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