Australia has had the highest skill stream intake on record, according to latest figures from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

• People from the United Kingdom form the largest existing migrant group in every Australian State and Territory.
• The UK was the number one source for 2005/2006 settler arrivals in South Australia (3,009 people), Western Australia (6,717 people) and Tasmania (177 people).
• The UK was the number two source for arrivals in Victoria (3,588 people, behind India’s 4,295 people) and Queensland (5,068 people, behind New Zealand’s 8,866 people).
• The UK was the number three source for arrivals in New South Wales (4,561 people behind China’s 5,296 people and India’s 4,615 people.)

DIAC branch assistant secretary Greg Mills said,

“In 2005-06, the Migration Programme received 142,930 places, with more than 97,000 places in the skill stream.”

“The Government increased the family stream places to 45,290 for 2005-06.”

“Employer sponsored and state/territory government sponsored migration increased by 17 and 47 per cent respectively.”

Western Australia and Queensland had the highest population growth rates (2.0 and 1.9 per cent respectively).

The table below shows the proportions of migrants from all countries going to each Australian state:

Settler Arrivals By State

State	Percentage of Settlers Who Moved To State (%)
New South Wales	33.9%
Victoria	24.5%
Queensland	18.9%
Western Australia	13.4%
South Australia	6.9%
Australian Capital Territory	1.0%
Tasmania	0.7%
Northern Territory	0.6%

There was an interesting article in today’s Globe and Mail, “The New Face of Poverty.” The article - based on a Statistics Canada study of immigrant incomes - detailed the large number of immigrants to Canada who end up on low incomes.

It seems that, in their first year in Canada, immigrants were 3.2 times more likely to have a low income than people born in Canada were. To be classed as “low-income” a family of four needed to have an annual income of $26,800 or less.

Looking at immigrants who had been in Canada for a number of years, the report said:

“Among those who arrived in 2000, 52 percent of those in chronic low income were skilled economic immigrants. About 41 percent had university degrees.” (To suffer chronic low income, an annual income of $26,800 or less had to be maintained for at least four years in a five-year period.)

Statistics Canada said in a statement that, “the face of poverty in Canada is no longer that of a single mother on welfare”.

“The shift to more educated and skilled class immigrants has changed the face of the chronically poor.”

Looking at the detail of the report, it appears that British immigrants are doing better than the overall picture painted by the Globe and Mail. When the statisticians compared incomes of migrants from different countries, they found that chronic low incomes are not common among immigrants arriving in Canada from the USA and Europe.

Immigrants from Africa and East Asia were 3 to 4 times more likely to suffer low incomes than people arriving from the USA and Europe were. Immigrants from Asia had the highest share of immigrants suffering chronic low incomes.

Canada’s economy has prospered in recent years, as demand from growing Asian economies has boosted both the volume and prices of Canadian exports. Although Canada has half the population of the UK, Canada’s exports ($405 billion) are not far behind the UK’s ($468.8 billion).

The year ahead looks like it is shaping up well too as Scotiabank’s Commodity Price Index, which tracks prices of 32 of Canada’s major exports, climbed by 3.4 percent in December to end 2006 at a record high.

“The Metal and Mineral Index rose to new heights, almost 63 percent above the peak in June 1988,” said Patricia Mohr, Vice-President and commodity market specialist at Scotia Economics.

Spot uranium prices have more than tripled since 2004.

Oil prices are expected to bounce back towards US$60 at some point this year as OPEC members stick to their quotas, particularly in Venezuela, where the Chavez government is forcing production cuts in the Orinoco tar sands.

The Agricultural Index ended 2006 on a strong note, up almost 10 percent on last year.

Canola, used in making biodiesel fuel in Europe, has also shot up by 22 per cent since last summer.

“President Bush’s State of the Union Address, targeting a 20 per cent reduction in U.S. gasoline consumption by 2017 through stepped-up use of ethanol and tighter vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, points to ongoing strength in corn and other feedgrain prices in coming years and a new day for Prairie farmers”, said Mohr.

The effect of the commodity boom is apparent in Alberta, where the value of major construction projects reached $158.2 billion last year, driven mainly by the northern oil sands development.

Let’s play at spot the difference.

Until this week, Australia had a Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

It now has a Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

To many, it appears that the Australian Government has found a clear method of expressing its disapproval of multiculturalism without actually issuing a formal statement to that effect. This follows:

• Clashes in 2005 on Sydney’s Cronulla Beach between white and Lebanese youths, the culmination of long-term antagonism between these groups.
• Various antagonistic pronouncements from Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali, Mufti of Australia. One claimed that Muslim Australians have more right to the country than white Australians whose ancestors arrived as convicts. Another stated that Westerners, especially the English, are the world’s biggest liars and oppressors.
• Gang fights at this year’s Australian Tennis Open between youths identifying themselves with Serbia and Croatia. (Fights between different Balkans’ factions had already broken out at Australian soccer matches – but had been unheard of at tennis tournaments.)

When asked whether he was downgrading the role of multiculturalism in Australia, Prime Minister John Howard said:

“This is not condemning cultures, it’s just positively asserting the obvious and that is immigration should lead to citizenship and the path is you come to this country, you embrace its customs, its values, its language, you become a citizen.”

“You don’t lose a place in your heart for the country you came from and you’re not expected to. But the dominant consideration must be the integration of people into the Australian family.”

Speaking at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra yesterday, Mr. Howard spoke about Australian values, saying:

“We believe in the notion of the fair go, the idea of equality of opportunity…. We are a nation that holds very strongly to the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary. We believe very strongly in a free press.”

“I think most Australians think it’s very important that we embrace as our common method of communication with each other a single language, and that is the English language, because citizenship and interaction with each other is impossible unless we can effectively communicate with one another.”

“I say all of those things in acknowledging that the people who will become Australian citizens today come from a diversity of backgrounds. And … we don’t ask you to forget your homeland. We recognise that from now until the day you die you will have a special place in your heart for the country in which you were born.”

So the message from Australia seems to be; keep a place in your heart for your homeland, by all means, but you need to put Australia’s culture, values and language in front of your old ones.

Jack Layton, Leader of Canada’s NDP political party, has claimed that Canadians are losing out to high charges when they use cash machines.

In 2005, Canadians used bank-owned ATMs to make over 700 million withdrawals and over 400 million other types of transactions. Banks charged total fees of 420 million dollars for use of the machines.

As Canada’s banks enjoy record profits, (in 2006, Canada’s six biggest banks posted profits of over $19 billion,) Layton says the Conservative government has the power to make the cash-machine-money-grab disappear.

“The NDP thinks hard working Canadians should not be charged by banks when they deposit, withdraw or transfer their own money using an ATM,” said Layton. “The NDP will table amendments to the Bank Act that would eliminate fees for using ATMs.”

How To Reduce or Avoid Fees At Canadian Cash Machines

1. Use a bank that offers no fee banking if you maintain your account balance above a lower limit.
2. Use only your own bank’s cash machines.
3. If you cannot avoid charges, do not make frequent withdrawals of small amounts. Make less frequent withdrawals of larger amounts.

Until now, in Australia’s vocabulary, the words whinging and Pom have gone together like “caught & bowled” or “how & zat” – but perhaps no more. Complaints from an angry Englishman have led to the withdrawal of a radio advert for beer.

The Advertising Standards Board banned a Saatchi & Saatchi ad featuring a group of Englishmen whinging and moaning to the tune of Land of Hope and Glory.

The Board said the ad for Tooheys New Super Cold negatively stereotyped and demeaned the British, and found it to be in breach of section 2.1 of the Advertiser Code of Ethics dealing with vilification based on nationality.

The theme of the ad campaign had been “Tooheys New Supercold - It’s a Pom’s Worst Nightmare” or, alternatively, “Tooheys New Supercold - Cold Enough to Scare a Pom”.

The ad played on the belief that Englishmen can only drink warm beer.

Last month the board had dismissed complaints about billboards for the same beer, ruling the term “Pom” on its own was a playful and affectionate one that characterised the rivalry between the two nations. Addition of the “whinging” word was the problem.

Dave Thomason from the group British People Against Racism, who laid the complaints, has said he is prepared to take his case over the word “Pom” all the way to the United Nations to prevent its derogatory usage in Australia.

BPARD, which has a committee of 14 and branches in Perth and Melbourne, does not want Pom banned from general usage, but Mr Thomason believes there is an agenda in the media to take insult to new heights.

Tooheys marketing director Paul Foster said: “I’m a Pom and I’m not offended. All my mates who are Poms are not offended - we can whinge with the best of them.”

“We can respect certain groups of people have certain views and they’re entitled to them but most people in the community don’t see it as an offensive word. It’s seen as a term of endearment between two great rival sporting nations.”

So, what make an Aussie an Aussie? Is it the ability to beat the Poms 9 out of 10 times in sports? Yes it is, but, according to a Commonwealth Bank survey, there are other important features that Australians take pride in too. The ‘People of Australia’ survey show Australians believe it is their down to earth attitude (91 per cent), straight talking manner (82 per cent), welcoming and accepting nature (76 per cent), honesty (69 per cent) and community mindedness (65 per cent), that attracts the rest of the world.

When it comes what makes Australians most proud, the majority (90 per cent) say it is seeing other Aussies succeed on the world stage. Examples include Steve Irwin’s high profile conservation campaign, Professor Peter Doherty’s Nobel Prize for Medicine, and coming together as a nation during tough times, such as after the Bali bombings or Cyclone Larry. Australians are also proud to live in a multi-cultural, diverse society (74 per cent).

Professor Ian Frazer, who emigrated from Scotland to Australia in 1980 was the winner of the 2006 Australian of the Year award. Professor Frazer believes Australians are the envy of the rest of the world: “I’m proud to be Australian because of the opportunities and values people have here. I feel very privileged to have become an Australian citizen and to join such a vibrant society where anything seems possible.”

Aussies also believe that it is the mateship culture (88 per cent) and the international success of home-grown acting and singing talents such as Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue (60 per cent) that helps put Australia on the world map.

On the back of the recent Ashes victory, more than nine out of ten Australians (94 per cent) believe the country is best known around the world for its sporting prowess.

The Edmonton Sun reports that the Ontario government is requesting that the federal government speed up immigration processing to clear the backlog of 800,000 applications that has been allowed to build up over several years.

In a market where other desirable countries are competing for skilled migrants, Ontario is concerned that candidates with the highest skill levels are moving to Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe rather that waiting years for the Canadian authorities to approve their applications for residence.

Ontario has asked the federal government to increase the number of applications it processes from 250,000 to 350,000 per annum and clear the backlog over the next five years.

Toronto immigration lawyer Mendel Green told The Sun that 40,000 parents are sponsored to Canada yearly, leaving 300,000 others waiting abroad for processing.

January 24th is the bleakest day in the calendar for Britons and one remedy proposed by academics is a visit to Australia. Many people have moved permanently to sunnier climes to avoid the seasonal affective disorder that laid them low in a British winter.

Dr Cliff Arnall, an expert in seasonal disorders at Cardiff University has produced a formula to predict the worse day of the year.

The model is [W + (D-d)] x TQ M x NA

• W - Weather: This takes account of the depression in weather systems which affects the UK around January, bringing with it low dark cloud, cold wet and sleet conditions and very little sunlight.
• D - Debt: The amount of debt we’ve accumulated over the Christmas period - the greater the difference between the amount owed and the amount paid off the greater the depression. We are also stretched by the pressure of January sales.
• T - Time since Christmas: Recharging during the Christmas bank holidays gives us a positive feeling towards work and new plans but this feeling begins to wear off by the third week of January.
• Q - Time since failed quit attempt: Having made New Year’s resolutions, within an average of 6-7 days the majority of people will return to their old habits. This results in a sense of failure.
• M - General motivational levels: Following party season, it dawns on us that the fun is over. A return to normal work and domestic is depressing.
• NA - The need to take action: This refers to the human need to look forward to positive things. The realisation that the party is over makes now an ideal time to organise something to look forward to provide a motivating focus, for example saving for a holiday.

Ten Ways To Beat The Winter Gloom

Virginia Ironside and Dr Stephen Joseph of Warwick University, and Phillip Hodson, of the British Association of Counselling suggest in The Independent 10 ways of beating the gloom:

1. Make sure you get up, get dressed and try to look good - don’t leave off make-up.
2. Make a list of those you know, and how you affect their lives in a positive way.
3. Exercise - it can change your mood.
4. Remember it is “Blue Monday” - you are not the only one feeling blue.
5. Indulge in a gratification exercise - take 15 minutes to write three things you are grateful for such as your health, Christmas presents and friends.
6. Buy a light box - this can help those driven to depression in winter by lack of light.
7. Try to be more disciplined with your bed-times
8. Think like the Opposition party - ie from a different point of view.
9. Try a good book and a glass of wine.
10. Visit Australia (it’s lighter).

Demographia compares average house prices with average incomes around the English-speaking the world. In their latest comparison, the most expensive property markets compared with incomes were found in the following cities:

The 25 Most Expensive Housing Markets
Demographia Survey 2007

Ontario is launching a new programme aimed at encouraging immigrants whose skills are in greatest demand to move to there.

The Provincial Nominee Program will allow up to 500 applicants a year to enjoy processing times of three to six months for immigration to Ontario. In normal circumstances a wait of two years or more is possible for full approval.

Ontario joins British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon, all of which already have provincial nominee programs.

Mike Colle, Ontario’s citizenship and immigration minister, offered a shortage of midwives of an example of how the Provincial Nominee Program will be good for both Ontario and for would-be immigrants. “Right now,” said Colle, “I can’t get them (midwives) in under the federal system because they don’t have all of these PhDs after their name”.

Mr Colle said that priority processing could include investors, those who could alleviate skilled labour shortages, and high achieving students. He noted, however, that while other provinces have used the programs to attract immigrants, Ontario has no shortage of immigrants. Over 50 percent of Canada’s immigrants settle in Ontario and 27 percent of Ontario residents were born outside Canada. The programme is designed to attract immigrants who can fulfil specific needs and shortages.

“Certain employers need a key person perhaps to fill a void in their company, and they can’t fill it in Ontario so they would nominate or ask the government to nominate a specific person to come here and they would guarantee them the job.”

Colle said the goal for Ontario is to have a defined, pronounced role in immigration and to match needs to immigration.

“Our goal is ultimately to be much like Quebec,” he said. Quebec is able to establish its own immigration requirements through the Canada-Quebec Accord on immigration. Ontario unequivocally wants more immigration — we think immigration is a central part of our economic and social future,” he added.

New Zealand has a small population – less than Scotland or Yorkshire.

With an immigration policy that targets skilled migrants, NZ’s population is rising more steeply than the UK’s.

In the last 50 years, New Zealand’s population has almost doubled, from just over 2 million to just over 4 million.

In the same time period, the UK’s population has risen from around 51 million to around 60 million – an increase of around 18 percent.

New Zealand’s Population
1956 - 2006

Rate Of Immigration

• New Zealand’s net population gain through immigration in 2006 was 3.6 per 1,000 existing people.
• The UK’s net population gain through immigration in 2006 was 2.2 per 1,000 existing people.

Comparing Attitudes “On The Street” To Immigration In New Zealand and Britain

An increasing number of people in the UK are raising objections to immigration. Some regions, particularly England’s south east corner, are commonly perceived as overcrowded. Cities outside the South East have seen large influxes of immigrants. With unprecedented numbers of immigrants arriving in the UK over the last decade, politicians both in government and opposition are stating that immigration needs to be controlled more effectively. A YouGov opinion poll in 2004 found that 74 percent of Britons agreed with the statement ‘too many immigrants are coming to Britain’. Some people are saying that Britain no longer feels like their own country. (Opens video excerpt from BBC News)

Opinions such as these are also heard in New Zealand – albeit in a modified form. On the whole, New Zealanders are more positive about immigration than people in Britain are. New Zealand has tougher immigration selection criteria than the UK, with the result that New Zealanders do not complain that migrants are a drain on resources as much as Britons do.

New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, has many more residents of Asian origin than it did 20 years ago – mainly from China. The number of Asians in New Zealand has doubled between 1996 and 2006 – from 174,000 to 355,000. It is not uncommon to hear Aucklanders, who recall the city in earlier times, complain that it no longer feels like their city. New Zealanders can be less guarded about voicing criticism of Asian immigration than you would normally find in Britain.

New Zealand’s anti-immigration party - more accurately anti-Asian immigration party - is New Zealand First. New Zealand First’s leader, Winston Peters, is currently New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, following an arrangement with the majority Labour Party.

New Zealand is a bit bigger than the UK, so complaints that it is becoming overcrowded are seldom heard. People do complain, however, about the cities getting busier.

Many New Zealanders, although reasonably happy with current immigration policies, do not want to see an expansion of immigration because they place great value on their country’s low population density. By way of comparison, New Zealand has 15 people per square kilometre and the UK has 248 people per square kilometre.

South East Queensland is dry and getting dryer. People in the city of Brisbane are beginning to face up to the prospect of their city’s water supply running out in 2008 and tempers are beginning to fray.

Following years of record-breaking dry weather and compounded by population growth bringing ever more demand for water, Brisbane’s reservoirs have fallen to 23.11 percent of capacity and are approaching critically low levels.

Shadow Infrastructure Minister, Fiona Simpson, said that the current infrastructure projects such as the desalination plant and pipelines had been started too late and there were valid concerns they would not be up and running fully in time to avert the real disaster.

Queensland Coalition Leader Jeff Seeney said:

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to work out who is telling the truth about the state of South East Queensland’s water supply

“I was dumbfounded yesterday to hear that there are no contingency plans being considered for the worst case scenario of South East Queensland running out of water.

“It was a lack of planning and action from the Labor Government that has put us in this situation to begin with, and now we hear that Labor hasn’t planned for the worst case scenario.”

According to Brisbane’s Courier Mail Newspaper, Southeast Queensland mayors are on the brink of revolt and have demanded that emergency rationing guidelines be prepared to stop the region running dry. They believe the Queensland government is gambling that rains will come rather than face taking very tough decisions now in case they don’t.

“The whole of southeast Queensland is in very deep danger. There should be a Plan B,” Logan Mayor Graham Able said.

Boonah Shire Mayor John Brent warned dam evaporation rates would accelerate as levels fell further so “the end comes more quickly”

Without major rain it is unlikely the Brisbane area will have more than 12 per cent capacity in its major dams by this time next year. Some power stations would then have to shut down.

On November 1 last year, Brisbane introduced Level 4 water restrictions, to slow down the rate at which reservoirs were emptying. Level 4 water restrictions include mandatory bans on outdoor hosing and sprinklers, efficiency measures for pool owners using town water and restrictions for business, industry and government agencies.

Standard Life has warned that changes in legislation could prove expensive for people who emigrate and intend transferring their pensions to Australia.

Until now, Australian tax legislation has made it profitable for migrants to move their pensions to Australia shortly after arrival.

From 1 July, however, tax legislation will change and Standard Life is advising investors to consider the implications.

For example, if a migrant moves to Australia and leaves cash in a UK personal pension today, tax will be due in Australia on the growth in the fund each year until it is transferred or they started taking benefits. On reaching retirement, all of the income will be taxed as income - as will be the tax-free lump sum.  This will not change.

Anyone emigrating before July 1, who is sure the move is permanent, would be advised to transfer their benefits to Australia shortly after emigrating. This strategy will incur little or no tax on the growth and the whole fund can be taken tax-free at retirement.

However, from 1 July, the maximum contribution that can be made to an Australian fund in a tax-efficient manner is around £60,000 a year. This maximum includes transfers.

Andrew Tully, pensions technical manager of Standard Life, said anyone looking to transfer benefits may be best advised to do so before July or phase any transfer over a number of years.

Mr Tully said: “People in the process of emigrating to Australia should take advice and consider carefully whether to transfer their pension benefits overseas.”

Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that 200,000 British citizens are leaving the country each year.

With over 5 million Britons living abroad, emigration is a growing trend. For those considering relocation, it is vital to research the options diligently.

Ian Tonge, international expert at the NAEA, advises on how to ensure the reality matches up to your vision:

Relocation checklist:

• Visit the area you intend to move to
• If English is not primary language, learn some of the local language
• Choose an estate agent who belongs to a professional body
• Deal with as many of the legalities as possible in the UK
• Decide if you will be keeping your UK home
• Research tax laws thoroughly for your chosen country
• Consider currency fluctuations and implications
• Get every agreement in writing
• Use professionals who speak English fluently
• Join a society to aid integration

“It is surprising how many people decide to live abroad without really knowing the area they are moving to. It is important to always visit the area to inspect potential houses, schools and social opportunities. Moving to an isolated area may become very lonely, especially if there is a language barrier.

“When choosing an estate agent overseas, look for someone who is a member of a professional body. Over 700 agents at home and abroad are members of the NAEA and are specialists in international buying.

“Once you have found a property, deal with as many of the legalities you can whilst in the UK. Property purchase rules, formalities and searches vary greatly between countries so seek expert advice to avoid potential misunderstandings before buying.

“If you are already a homeowner in the UK, decide whether you are going to keep your current property. It may be useful to keep a foothold in the UK market. If you keep a home in the UK you could be liable for Capital Gains tax if you let either property out or sell one.

“If you intend to work abroad, check whether your adopted country has a taxation treaty with the U.K. to stop you paying income tax twice. Inheritance tax laws can be very stringent so make two wills: one in the UK and one in your adopted country. Local laws can sometimes create problems with inheritance tax laws in the UK. It is always advisable to consult a taxation professional as tax implications vary greatly.

“Money is an important consideration as even if you buy your property outright you could be at risk from currency fluctuations. Britain has lower home buying costs and quicker time scales for moving than much of Europe so bear in mind that a longer completion on your new house could cost you money if the currency value changes. Your bank or mortgage provider can recommend a professional in your chosen country. Whoever you deal with should speak fluent English and make sure you get every agreement in writing. If anything does go wrong, you will have proof of agreements.

“Once abroad, you can register with the British Consulate who can provide assistance if you run into any difficulties. Local newspapers will provide details of clubs, societies and local events such as fiestas for you to enjoy. Above all, where ever you live, remember to enjoy it!”

A report in The Observer considered the impact on small Spanish towns and villages of the large numbers of Britons who have been moving in. With high property prices in Spain’s beach resorts, rural Andalucia is looking increasingly attractive.

Officially, there are well over 200,000 foreign residents in Andalucia - most of them British. It’s possible, however, these figures greatly underestimate the numbers of British in the region because they include only the people who have registered with the Spanish Police.

• The British Foreign Office estimates that there are over 700,000 UK citizens living in Spain.
• A recent arrival to a Spanish village, Mark Thomson, was driven out of Newcastle by a combination of unaffordable house prices and a view that is widely shared among the expatriate community, “England just is not English any more.”
• On the Costa del Sol, the English-language paper, Sur in English, has increased its print run to 60,000. Once the newspaper was just read on the coast but now copies are trucked inland “to the oddest places in the back of beyond”. The average age of the readership has dropped and the paper is full of ideas for children’s activities.
• In some areas, the newcomers have been welcomed for bringing life to agricultural communities that had been devoid of young people and economic activity.
• In the villages of Comares, and Arboleas – three hours into the mountains – British pupils have re-invigorated the communities. Once empty classrooms are full again – with school registers showing one quarter of the pupils started life in the UK.
• The British arrivals have also reinvigorated the cultural lives of the villages, opening shops and exhibitions and organising concerts.
• In other areas, social tensions, anger and pressure on space and resources have been more obvious.
• Tensions have surfaced over land between British residents too.
• The Olive Press tells the Andalucian story of the British Labour MP, Margaret Moran, who provoked the wrath of her neighbours when she blocked access to a path that they had been using for more than 20 years. Now forced to find more complicated routes, they insist she is breaking long term verbal agreements. Margaret Moran said ‘We came here for peace but it has just been stress, stress, stress.’
• In La Vinuela valley, 50 miles northeast of Malaga, the population has risen dramatically. Hundreds of new houses, many built illegally, are set on the hills above a beautiful lake. Some have been constructed with little respect for the environment. Some of the British arrivals show no interest in integrating.
• In one La Vinuela village a group of five British families angered Spanish neighbours by drinking, brawling and swearing in the streets. “The British are not welcome any more,” said a local. Another local described how the fiesta had been overrun by “British men in their fifties getting plastered”.

Quotable Value, which gathers New Zealand housing statistics, has released its latest figures for house prices. Over the last three months, the average price in New Zealand has risen to £122,100 (NZ$348,886 ). The figures are not directly comparable with the UK’s prices because, unlike the UK, the average home in New Zealand is a detached bungalow.

New Zealand prices rose 9.2 percent over the past year.

QV spokesperson Glenda Whitehead said:

“The trend across the country continues to show steady growth in property values. Although the level of increase has been easing, a number of areas have seen a slight increase this month, typical of the real estate market through spring and early summer months. Supply and demand in most areas appears to be relatively evenly weighted.”

House Prices in New Zealand
Three Months Ending December 2006

* Assumed exchange rate is NZ$1 = £0.35

Melbourne’s reservoirs are currently just 38 percent full and Margaret Norriss is living in fear. Like an increasing number of Melburnians, Ms Norriss is worried of accusations that she is breaking new water restrictions in the drought-hit capital of Victoria.

The Age reports that Ms Norriss has placed a notice at the front of her garden declaring to her neighbours that only non-town water is in use.

She has been forced to do this after the State Government asked people to phone a hotline anonymously and dob in (report) water cheats.

For those like Ms Norriss who are using grey, rain or bore water to keep their gardens green, the only defence from the self-appointed water police is the signs they are placing in their gardens declaring their source of garden water.

Even Deputy Premier and Water Minister John Thwaites suggested that people hang signs in their gardens telling the community where their water has come from.

Many talkback radio show callers have confessed that they are spying on their neighbours’ water usage.

David Dunstan of Monash University is worried that communities are suffering as “neighbour is pitted against neighbour”.

“The Government is encouraging neighbour to spy on neighbour and dob them in,” Dr Dunstan said.

United States authorities are investigating a series of suspected visa scams costing would-be British migrants millions of pounds.

A BBC investigation found more than 50 families had spent around $7m to obtain US visas that never appeared.

Two companies were investigated:

• Royal Development – founded by Michael Leggett who left the UK in 2003 after his double glazing company went into liquidation, with debts of almost half a million pounds. Royal Development advertised in the UK claiming that it could help people obtain an E2 business visa. Royal Development began operating in 2003 and since then signed up an estimated 26 families who paid $2.6m. Some of the people who paid money to Royal Development have been deported from the USA. The State Department has said it is investigating the company over allegations of visa fraud, including claims that the company forged paperwork.
• Central Florida Visa Group – founded by Florida businessman Doug Hall, who claims the would-be migrants’ money had been stolen by one of his employees. Police sources told the BBC their investigation is focusing on Mr Hall. An estimated 25 Britons paid over $4.5m dollars to obtain E2 visas.

A spokesman for the US Embassy in London said that Britons should be cautious about who they hired to find a business and obtain an E2 visa.

“Don’t get the same person who is sorting out your visa to find a business for you,” says Consul General John Caulfield.

“If they want you to invest in their business they are not going to be realistic about the realities.”

Australia’s armed forces are looking overseas to ease a growing skills-crisis blamed partly on the country’s resources boom.

Figures obtained by The Weekend Australian show more than 1,500 technical vacancies in Australia’s armed forces alone need to be filled.

Britain and New Zealand have been the traditional recruiting pool for the ADF because of the similar levels of professional standards and training. British submariners had been attracted to the Royal Australian Navy in the past.

Ads are now being placed in Canadian and in US military publications.

• The 12,800-strong navy – the RAN - has 696 technical vacancies to fill and it has listed 38 job categories it will sponsor for permanent residency.
• Australia’s 13,000-strong air force - the RAAF - needs 457 technicians to service its jet fighters, transports and helicopters.
• The 25,000-strong Australian Army has 362 vacancies in its technical trades but this is expected to grow with the delivery of new Abrams tanks and armed reconnaissance helicopters.

Overseas people who wish to join Australia’s armed forces need to:

• Meet Australian immigration and permanent residency requirements.
• Obtain a national security clearance.
• Meet the same armed forces entry standards as Australians would.
• Become Australian citizens as soon as they are eligible to do so.

A defence spokeswoman said, “Overseas applications from foreign nationals with extensive military experience will be considered for positions where skill shortages exist in the ADF. Overseas recruitment is designed to supplement, but not replace, Australian domestic recruiting efforts.”

Navy vacancies include:

• aviation engineers
• helicopter pilots
• electronic warfare analysts for submarines
• chaplains
• musicians

A former World War 2 sea fort in the North Sea is for sale, says The Times.

Sealand was first settled by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Roy and Princess Joan of Sealand in 1967.

Sealand began life in 1941 as Roughs Tower. It is a 550 square metre steel platform atop two concrete towers similar in appearance to an oilrig.

The fort sits 7 miles off the coast of Harwich in eastern England and the sale follows a fire in late June of 2006. Restoration of the fort was completed in November 2006, with no signs of the fire remaining.

Sealand is accessible only by helicopter and boat but, according to its owners, who anticipate offers in the region of tens of millions of pounds, boasts uninterrupted sea views and guarantees complete privacy.

Although not recognised as a country by any other country, Sealand is outside the UK’s three-mile limit and, as such, a judge ruled in 1968 that it is beyond the jurisdiction of the British Government.

“We have owned the island for 40 years now and my father is 85,” Prince Michael of Sealand commented.
“Astronomical figures have been mentioned but we will just see what comes forward.”

Although its status as an independent state is disputed, Sealand - like the UK - has a history of warfare with our German cousins.

In 1978 the German Prime Minister of Sealand, a Herr Achenbach, conspired with visiting Dutch businessmen to kidnap Roy’s son, Prince Michael and attempted to capture Sealand by force. Michael was freed in a counter-attack and Prince Roy held the invaders as prisoners of war. Germany asked Britain to intervene but was told that the fortress was beyond British jurisdiction. Prince Roy eventually released the prisoners.

In 1974, Prince Roy introduced a constitution. A flag, national anthem, currency - the gold and silver Sealand dollar which is the equivalent to the US dollar - and passports have followed.

• 51,000 people were approved for permanent residence in New Zealand 2005/06.
• The majority were approved as skilled or business migrants, according to New Zealand’s Department of Labour.
• The UK was the largest source of skilled immigration approvals, accounting for 41 percent of approvals.
• South Africa was the next largest source country with 12 per cent of approvals. China was in third place with 11 percent of approvals.
• 99,700 work permits were issued - many to people on working holidays.
• Unlimited visas for working holiday visas are available to UK citizens who are 30 years old or younger.
• Around 30 percent of temporary workers gain permanent residence within five years.
• Nine out of ten applicants approved for residence already had New Zealand work experience. This results from people moving from temporary to permanent permits.

• Australia’s economy added 44,600 jobs in December, 17,700 of which were full-time jobs and 26,900 part-time.
• 57,400 full-jobs were created in November, while 21,200 part-time jobs were lost in that month.
  December rounds off a strong year for the Australian economy. 302,000 new jobs were created – the most for 17 years according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
• Despite strong inflows of migrants during the year, the Australian economy still requires more skilled workers than are available.
• Many sectors, including engineering, trades and the construction industries are experiencing shortages.
• Australia’s economy now has 10.3 million workers, compared with 8.4 million 10 years ago.
• In those same 10 years, the unemployment rate has fallen from 8.6 percent to 4.6 percent today.
• The strong employment figures may push the Australian Reserve Bank into a more hawkish position on interest rates. The Bank raised interest rates during 2006 to keep a cap on inflation. It looks like further interest rate rises cannot be ruled out in 2007.

• The number of jobs in Canada increased by 62,000 in December, pushing unemployment down to the 6.1 percent – the lowest for 30 years.
• Employment gains in Ontario accounted for 42,000 of the 62,000 jobs. The gains were almost entirely in the service sector. Manufacturing employment in Ontario continued its long-term decline.
• 345,000 jobs were created in Canada in 2006, the highest growth rate since 2002.
• One third of Canada’s new jobs in 2006 were in Alberta, although only one in ten of Canada’s workforce lives in Alberta. The province experienced above average growth in natural resources; manufacturing; construction; educational services; health care and social assistance; and accommodation and food services.
• 80 percent of the jobs created in Canada in 2006 were full-time jobs
• Women took almost two-thirds of the 345,000 jobs that were created. (215,000 jobs went to women.)
• Average hourly wages in Canada averaged around $20.00 in December 2006.
• Wages were highest in Alberta, at $21.60 per hour.
• The main sources of the jobs created in Canada in 2006 were natural resources (+10.9%); business, building and other support services (+8.8%); finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (+6.9%); health care and social assistance (+5.8%); “other services” (+4.8%) and construction (+3.5%). However, there was continued weakness in manufacturing (-2.7%) and declines in information, culture and recreational services (-2.6%).
• Despite overall gains in employment, youth unemployment in Canada increased by 36,000. Youth unemployment rate is approaching its lowest rate since 1989 but is still 11.2 percent.

Unemployment Rates in Canadian Provinces
(Statistics Canada)

Statistics Canada has released the latest earnings figures for each of Canada’s provinces.

The figures are for all 14,059,000 employees on Canada’s business payrolls, including part-timers.

The highest wages were found in the far north of the country, where employees of oil and mining companies are well-rewared for the rigours of their work. In the southern provinces, the highest wages were found in Alberta, driven by the booming oil industry.

Average (Mean) Weekly Earnings
in Canadian Provinces October 2006

* Assumed exchange rate is £1 = C$2.29