Irish racing fans in Australia can now watch all the thrills and spills of the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival live. The festival, jumps racing’s Olympics, kicks off tonight (Tuesday) Australian-time with live coverage on Sky World Racing channel. Cheltenham is often pitched as a battle between the best Irish versus the best of British national [...]
Irish politics is about to undergo a radical and possibly irrevocable transformation. The polls indicate that this week’s general election will dramatically alter the shape of the Dáil. While Fine Gael’s Enda Kenny looks certain to be the next Taoiseach, the shape of Ireland’s next government is far less apparent. Leinster House will see many [...]
Paul O’Connell and perhaps Tomas O’Leary aside, Ireland will field its best first XV for the visit of the mighty All Blacks tomorrow (Saturday). It’s a key moment for an Irish team that has struggled to find its best form this year. Losses to Scotland and South Africa at home, as well as a disastrous [...]
Dear John, I am a 25-year-old carpenter from Ireland living and working in Brisbane this last 18 months. I have six years’ experience as a carpenter but no formal qualification. I have been told that state sponsorship could be my best option. Could you give me a rundown on the process, stages, expenses, length of [...]
Dear John, I’ve just got my permanent residence in Australia. How soon can I get citizenship and an Australian passport? Susan P. Dear Susan, You have to apply for citizenship. For migrants, the general path is called Citizenship by Conferral. For people who became permanent residents on or after July 1, 2007 you must be [...]
Dear John, I’m in Australia on a working holiday visa and have been working for the last four months, my boss is considering sponsoring me full time on a 457 visa. I was told you have to be paid a certain amount to get sponsored; I’m currently working 38-40 hours a week and get paid [...]
Dear John, I came home from Australia just three weeks into my second WHV to finish a Masters course. I want to return this summer to work in Oz but my second year visa will have expired. What is the best way to apply for a career in Brisbane? My area of expertise is PR [...]
Dear John, I’m in Oz on a Working Holiday Visa. I did the Group Certificate and did labouring work in Ireland and here. I’m looking at doing an electrical apprenticeship here. How would that work? John S. Dear John S, To do a formal trade apprenticeship here you first need to be a permanent resident [...]
Ambivalence and the absence of sensible debate about Australia’s constitutional future is now threatening the apparent inevitability of this country becoming a republic. There is now a real danger that the lack of political will and serious debate could derail the cutting of constitutional ties with the British monarchy and installing an Australian as head [...]
