Penrose has quit over plans to shut army barracks. (Pic: Flickr/Labour Party)

Coalition partner Labour has been shaken by the high-profile resignation of Cabinet minister Willie Penrose over austerity measures.

Allegations that party MEP Nessa Childers has been threatened with expulsion for refusing to toe the leadership line on a controversial civil servant appointment has also sparked tensions within its ranks.

Mr Penrose stood down as housing minister and resigned from the Labour parliamentary party after Cabinet colleagues rubber-stamped the closure of an Army base in his constituency.

Columb Barracks in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, along with barracks at Clonmel, Castlebar and Cavan, will shut as part of an overhaul of Defence Forces operations which Taoiseach Enda Kenny said will save the taxpayer €5 million.

Some 515 military personnel and 25 civilian workers will be transferred to other existing barracks.

Rejecting claims it would have the same impact as a small factory closing down in the towns, Mr Kenny said no jobs would be lost while proceeds from the sale of the barracks will be used to upgrade Defence Forces equipment.

However, Mr Penrose and Opposition politicians say the closures make no financial sense and will only hurt the towns involved as well as the soldiers stationed there and their families.

“I fully appreciate that difficult decisions have to be made by the Government if we are to get out of the economic mess in which we have found ourselves, but I was not prepared to stand over a decision that was not backed up by the facts and figures,” said Mr Penrose.

His resignation is the first senior defection to strike the nine-month-old Fine Gael/Labour coalition.

“While I will no longer hold the Labour whip, I will continue to serve the people of Longford Westmeath as an active and vocal public representative,” he said.

The barracks closure has also led to grassroots rebellion among Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore’s rank and file.

Michael Dollard, Labour leader on Westmeath County Council, said he would resign from the party if the Government ignored the views of Mr Penrose.

Separately, MEP Ms Childers said she has been threatened with being kicked out of the party if she continues to oppose the nomination of Department of Finance secretary general Kevin Cardiff to the European Court of Auditors.

She claimed that during a phone call from a senior politician, she was also warned that she could end up in court if she did not drop her objections.

“I received a phone call, or made a phone call and I was told that first of all, did I realise that I could end up in court because I could be sued for Mr Cardiff’s loss of income,” she said.

“Earlier in the day, the press officer told me I wasn’t allowed to talk about it any longer.

“A second phone call happened which I didn’t take but it was on my voicemail saying that if I proceeded, a recommendation for my expulsion from my party would take place.”

Mr Cardiff played a major role in the EU/IMF bailout negotiations in the aftermath of the collapse of Ireland’s economy.

The top civil servant was recently quizzed over his department’s double counting blunder which left the national accounts out €3.6 billion.

Ms Childers, MEP for Ireland East, said the error, combined with Mr Cardiff’s economic background, led her to believe he would be unfit to take up the €180,000 European job.

Despite the upheaval, Mr Penrose insisted Labour members were not being prevented from speaking their minds.

“We’re not clones, we have articulate, different views in the context of the issues that arise and that’s the very essence of a good vibrant party,” he said, after announcing his resignation.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he fully understood why Mr Penrose quit.

“He’s a very good colleague, somebody who has worked hard for the Labour Party both nationally and in his constituency,” he said.

“I understand his decision … but the Government has to make decisions which are in the best interests of the country.”

Mr Gilmore also denied Ms Childers was being silenced and said he respected the right of MEPs to have their own point of view.

President Michael D Higgins waves to cheering school children after his inauguration ceremony as Ireland's ninth head of state at Dublin Castle. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA)

Ireland’s ninth President Michael D Higgins has urged Irish people at home and across the world to help build a real and inclusive republic.

After being sworn in during a solemn ceremony at Dublin Castle, the President attacked the egotism and materialism that had wounded the country in recent years.

The 70-year-old poet, politician and philosopher said people were being valued in terms of their wealth rather than their fundamental dignity.

“That was our loss, the source in part, of our present difficulties,” he said.

“Now it is time to turn to an older wisdom that, while respecting material comfort and security as a basic right of all, also recognises that many of the most valuable things in life cannot be measured.”

The veteran Labour member, who resigned from the party on being elected head of state, arrived at the upper yard of Dublin Castle for his inauguration shortly before midday along with his wife Sabina Higgins.

They had stayed at the State residence Farmleigh the night before and were taken under a military escort of honour in a Presidential Mercedes — past Áras an Uachtaráin — to the ceremony.

The blustery, wet conditions, which hurled one of the sodden red carpets across the courtyard moments after the couple were greeted by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, failed to dampen the sense of occasion.

The first lady was dressed in a knee-length matching coat and dress, in ceremonial purple, designed by Louise Kennedy, while President Higgins wore a dark suit and silver, Paisley-patterned tie.

Just before his entrance into the grand St Patrick’s Hall, Mr Higgins asked for a few moments to reflect in a room in Dublin Castle where the socialist republican 1916 Rising leader James Connolly was held before being executed.

:: 21 gun salute

Past presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, both dressed in red, former Taoiseach Brian Cowen, the entire Government cabinet, judicial chiefs, Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness and all the other presidential election candidates were among the guests and dignitaries.

The inauguration began with an inter-faith service, including prayers from Christian, Jewish and Islamic representatives, as well as a Humanist reflection.

Prompted by Chief Justice Susan Denham, Mr Higgins completed the oath of office, the Army No 1 band sounded a salute and the Presidential Standard — St Patrick’s blue with a silver-stringed gold harp — was hoisted over the castle and Áras an Uachtaráin, his home for the next seven years.

Across the River Liffey, a 21-gun salute rang out from Collins Barracks as the new head of state was handed the Presidential seal of office to warm applause from the packed hall.

Addressing guests, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Mr Higgins would be a powerful healer for Ireland with a mandate of more than one million votes and the warm wishes of 70 million members of the Irish diaspora.

“Michael D Higgins is indeed a noble man of quiet virtue who will bring that nobility of heart and mind and spirit to the office of the President to all his endeavours in the name of Ireland and the Irish people,” he said.

“His authenticity as poet, philosopher, patriot and politician. As a democrat, republican, husband, father will resonate across this country and around the world.

“A real republican. At the head of his greatly desired ‘real republic’.”

The newly sworn in President said his term in office would be one of creativity and ideas and he would work towards transforming Irish society until it was profoundly ethical and inclusive.

Again evoking rebel leader James Connolly, Mr Higgins said he believed that Ireland was a work in progress, a country still to be fully imagined and invented, with an exhilarating future.

“The demands and rewards of building a real and inclusive Republic in its fullest sense remains as a challenge for us all, but it is one we should embrace together,” he said.

The ceremony drew to a close as President Higgins inspected a Defences Forces’ Guard of Honour in the upper courtyard of Dublin Castle made up of 107 officers.

Around 350 schoolchildren of all ages invited from all four provinces, invited by Mr Higgins, cheered as four Air Corps Pilatus aircraft flew low overhead in a diamond-shaped formation.

The Army No 1 band played several tunes including Slattery’s Mounted Foot, Galway Bay, Mise Éire and Finnegan’s Wake.

After taking time to greet well-wishers, the President was driven to Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park under military escort, where he hosted a private lunch for 90 guests ahead of an evening state reception at Dublin Castle.

Mr O'Gorman: "I am Irish so I can laugh off the worst of things and keep going."

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has accused an opposition MP of being ‘thin-skinned’, after he objected to being referred to as ‘a leprechaun’ in State Parliament on Tuesday.

Opposition MP Tony O’Gorman — who was born in Birmingham, England, but raised in Co Clare — described the Liberal leader’s comment towards him as “derogatory”.

Mr Barnett made the comments about the Labor Member for Joondalup in State Parliament on November 8 during a debate about gas, water and electricity price hikes in the state.

During the debate Mr O’Gorman criticised the Liberals leaders for his failure to focus on the issues in question, to which Mr Barnett responded by describing Mr O’Gorman as “the Leprechaun from Joondalup”.

“Do you support the carbon tax? Come on, leprechaun! The leprechaun from Joondalup, do you support it?”

Mr Barnett later withdrew his remarks and apologised.

The parliamentary transcript containing the exchange can be found here.

Mr O’Gorman, whose Irish parents raised him in Shannon, told the Irish Echo that the comments made by the Premier during the debate were inappropriate and demeaning.

“I have been a politician for 11 years so I have been called all sorts, but my issue with this is that the Premier had to resort to try and throw people off the track in the middle of a serious debate to try and take me off my train of thought because I had facts and figures on price hikes,” he said.

“The other thing is that a leprechaun is known for protecting a pot of gold, which is very demeaning when you consider that people out in the suburbs are trying to pay their bills when electricity and water prices have soared.

“It is a derogatory term and not appropriate for a state leader to use, but I am Irish so I can laugh off the worst of things and keep going. My main focus is to keep pushing the Premier until my point gets through,” Mr O’Gorman added.

Responding to criticism that he had been disrespectful towards Mr O’Gorman’s Irish heritage, Mr Barnett said he himself was part Irish.

He did not see how his comments were offensive.

Mr Barnett also told reporters that Mr O’ Gorman needed to “lighten up” and not be so thin-skinned.

“Yes I referred to the member for Joondalup as a leprechaun. I apologised in parliament but I think the member for Joondalup must be the only Irishman in the world that doesn’t have a sense of humour,” Mr Barnett said.

“Leprechauns are folk figures in Irish culture. They are lovable little fellows and characters and if the Member for Joondalup was offended by that, he is a little bit thin-skinned,” the Premier added.

It is not the first time this year an Australian politician has found himself in hot water over remarks pertaining to Irish people.

In June, Tony Abbott, a Federal counterpart of Mr Barnett’s, said that the Gillard Government “was a bit like the Irishman who lost 10 pounds betting on the Grand National and then lost 20 pounds on the action replay”. When the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra complained about the remark, Mr Abbott contacted the Embassy to express “regret”.

Additional reporting by Luke O’Neill

Sean Gallagher had questions to answer over his political background and business deals. (Niall Carson/PA)

Presidential front-runner Sean Gallagher has admitted asking a convicted criminal and fuel smuggler for €5,000 in a fund-raising drive for Fianna Fáil.

After being hit by an onslaught of attacks over his political past, Sinn Féin warned they would ask the donor to personally explain the circumstances of the invite.

Mr Gallagher revealed the damaging approach after facing down a string of broadsides during a live RTÉ television debate.

The former Fianna Fáil member claimed he was not aware of the donor’s past three years ago when he asked for the cash in return for a meet and greet with then taoiseach Brian Cowen.

But he insisted: “I’ve no recollection of getting a cheque from this guy.

“I don’t know the man very well.”

Mr Gallagher exposed the donor’s past when challenged directly over the payment by Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness on the television debate.

He had already faced a barrage of criticism from the other six presidential candidates over his political background and business deals, including a bookkeeping error over a lodged €89,000 cheque.

Mr Gallagher hit back claiming the donor had leased a constituency office to Sinn Féin on behalf of party president Gerry Adams ahead of the general election last February.

The final live debates involving the seven candidates for the Aras were marked by a string of broadsides intended to assassinate the former Fianna Fáil man’s character.

Mr McGuinness and Senator David Norris led the charge in exchanges focusing on Mr Gallagher’s fund-raising and business deals.

“There was something very rotten at the heart of the last administration. As far as I’m concerned Sean was part of that,” the Sinn Féin candidate said.

Further questions were also raised about financial dealings in Mr Gallagher’s companies, including the accounting mistake and also a company payment to himself.

Mr Gallagher insisted he was tax compliant.

Earlier, Labour leader and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said Mr Gallagher had a responsibility to open up about his ties to Fianna Fáil.

His party’s candidate Michael D Higgins launched another thinly veiled attack refusing to openly criticise before adding that Mr Gallagher’s explanation for the bookkeeping error was “rather complicated”.

Candidates first rounded on Mr Gallagher — well ahead in several opinion polls — during a lunchtime debate hosted by Google and Newstalk radio.

Later, on RTÉ’s Frontline direct attacks on the former Smarthomes director set the tone for candidates attempting to regain ground lost in the polls.

Gay Mitchell of Fine Gael, who’s campaign has been dogged by low support in the polls, and Independent Mary Davis, former head of Special Olympics in Ireland, called for more transparency.

Mr McGuinness said it was an absolute disgrace that Mr Gallagher was fund raising for Fianna Fáil as recently as two or three years ago.

He added: “I have to say I think you are in deep, deep trouble.”

Mr Gallagher denied suggestions that his role in organising for Fianna Fáil was “brown envelope”.

“I’ve never been involved in that culture,” he insisted.

Senator Norris hit out at the poll topper for comparing himself to sub-contractors and tradesmen involved in the property boom.

“I thought Sean had a bit of a neck earlier this morning where he identified with plasterers and plumbers,” the Trinity senator said.

“I just find it a little hard to take. I think what it says about the Irish people is that they have not learnt very much.”

As the row over political backgrounds deepened, islanders off Donegal cast their ballots although turnout was low. People registered to vote on islands off Mayo go to the polls tomorrow, while off Galway polling stations open on Wednesday before islanders off Cork vote with the rest of the country on Thursday.

All candidates other than Mr Gallagher and Mr Higgins have lost support since the last opinion poll.

Mr McGuinness appears to have cemented third place, while support for Senator Norris and Mr Mitchell has continued to fall.

Ms Davis has dropped into joint last place with Dana Rosemary Scallon.

Voters go to the polls on Thursday.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described some local party branches as "useless good-for-nothings:

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has branded an attack by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on party grassroots as “unacceptable”.

Mr Ahern described some members of local party branches as “useless good-for-nothings”.

In an upcoming documentary with TV3 on the demise of Fianna Fáil, he said rank and file were having “tea parties” during the 1970s and 1980s about the state of the world.

“But as far as building up the Fianna Fáil vote in these areas, they were useless,” he said.

Staunchly defending his own stewardship of the party leading up to its electoral meltdown, Mr Ahern singled out a local branch in Dublin’s north inner city during the 1970s, who he said were not northsiders and were frightened of crossing the Liffey.

“They were afraid to come into Sean McDermott Street, to drive through it, never mind canvass it,” he said.

“So, quite frankly, they were a bunch of useless good for nothings.”

Reacting to the remarks, Mr Martin said he would wait to see the documentary but would be appalled to hear the party grassroots described in such a way.

“That would be a completely unacceptable comment to make of the members of the party,” he said.

Mr Martin said he had great respect for every member of the Fianna Fáil party and was trying to encourage people to enter public life.

“I would be appalled if that description was made of any party member,” he said. “Members of cumainn are the life blood of politics.”

Separately, Mr Martin confirmed that Fianna Fáil will not run an internal candidate in the upcoming Presidential election.

After a three-and-a-half-hour parliamentary party meeting, the leader said it was a difficult decision that would disappoint many within its ranks.

“Nonetheless, it is a strategic decision,” he said.

Mr Martin said the party needed to rebuild and renew itself to remain a force in Irish political life.

He said the next local elections would be the most significant electoral milestone facing the party, and he was concentrating on that.

Mr O Cuiv was outvoted on the party's decision on presidential candidate. (Pic: File)

Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators are to be urged not to run an internal party candidate in the presidential election.

A special committee comprised of leader Micheál Martin, deputy Éamon Ó Cuív and four other senior members met for under two hours in Leinster House to discuss the party’s position on the race.

Party sources said five opted against running a contender from the rank and file, while Mr O Cuív, who has been touted as a potential candidate, was the only one in favour.

The recommendation will be put to the 36-member parliamentary party when it meets on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Martin and Mr O Cuív have been at odds over the party’s presidency stance, with the latter stating the party should run an internal contender.

But MEP Brian Crowley’s acrimonious decision not to contest the race last week and Mr Martin’s high-profile approach to broadcaster Gay Byrne suggested the party chief wanted a candidate not linked with Fianna Fáil.

One senior party source had suggested there was little appetite within the parliamentary party to contest the presidency.

A Fianna Fáil spokeswoman said the committee met to discuss the party’s strategy.

“The committee will put the recommendations for the race to the parliamentary party on Wednesday,” she said.

The sub-committee was made up of Mr Martin, Mr O Cuív, Timmy Dooley, Dara Calleary, Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Senator Daragh O’Brien.

Cork-born Maire Sheehan is running in Balmain

Irish candidates are contesting two key marginal seats in this weekend’s New South Wales (NSW) state election.

In Balmain, former Leichhardt Mayor Maire Sheehan declared her independent candidacy hours before nominations closed, in a move that caused panic within the Greens.

Ms Sheehan is running because she is opposed to a move by the Greens to encourage people not to use transfers and to vote for one person only.

Ms Sheehan believes this is a dangerous strategy in what she sees as “a critical election for the state”.

“First of all your misrepresentating the democratic process we’ve got and trying to turn it into a first past the post, mainly because you think that will advantage you.

“The second thing is, if you do that in the upper house you run the very real risk of handing that over to the Conservatives [too],” she said.

Balmain’s sitting member is NSW Education Minister, Labor’s Verity Firth. Ms Sheehan also faces a challenge from the Greens’ Jamie Parker, Leichhardt’s current mayor, and Liberal hopeful James Falk.

Ms Sheehan has described both Firth and Parker as “relatively good progressives” but has dismissed a Greens claim that she is running solely to steal their support.

“It’s a democracy. Everybody has a right to stand. I know the Greens are running this line that I shouldn’t be standing because I might steal their votes. What do they mean ‘steal their votes’? People have a right to vote for whoever they want to vote for,” said Ms Sheehan.

She has linked her campaign to that of independent John Hatton, who is running for the upper house.

Hatton was one of three MPs who shared the balance of power during Nick Grenier’s Liberal premiership between 1988 and 1992.

In Marrickville, the Greens are pinning their hopes on Fiona Byrne, whose parents moved to Australia from Carlow in the early seventies.

Ms Byrne (pictured left) is the sitting mayor of Marrickville council. She faces a strong challenge from the Deputy NSW Premier, Carmel Tebbutt, who has held the seat since winning a by-election in 2005.

Labor has effectively held the seat of Marrickville for 100 years. In an indication of how seriously Labor is taking Ms Byrne’s challenge, the Federal government’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, accompanied Ms Tebbutt during her canvass of Newtown last week.

Solicitor Rosana Taylor is challenging for the Liberals.

Ms Byrne has faced criticism for supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in Marrickville — effectively a ban on Israeli goods and businesses.

Polling opens state-wide on Saturday morning, with Barry O’Farrell’s Liberals widely expected to unseat Kristina Keneally’s unpopular Labor administration in an electoral rout. Labor have been in power for 16 years in NSW.

By Luke O’Neill

Many Irish newcomers to Australia are able to dig up a distant relative or two that they can stay with while they’re getting settled. But if not, then a hostel should be your first port of call.
Australia’s hostels are highly regulated so the vast majority are clean and comfortable, and while the prices may not compare to the guesthouses of South-East Asia, they are still pretty reasonably-priced at around $20-30 a night per person.
Unofficial hostels are common in high-density backpacker areas like Bondi but these should probably be avoided as most aren’t fitted with smoke alarms and are usually overcrowded and unsanitary. You are better off staying in hostels that are listed in the travel guides or as recommended by friends and fellow travellers.
Generally, hostels require a deposit for a room key, averaging at $10, and in some cases a deposit for cutlery use is compulsory.
To save money on dining out, stay in a hostel with a clean and large kitchen. While many travellers prefer to sleep in their own sleeping blanket, it is note-worthy to remember that many hostels do not allow them.
Most dorms are mixed but if you’re female and travelling alone, you might feel more comfortable in an all-girl dorm. Couples who are travelling may find that booking a double room works out just as cheap as a dorm but early booking is advisable. Reduced weekly rates are also offered.
Long-term deals (up to three months) are available, while some hostels offer free accommodation if you agree to take on house duties like  cleaning and cooking.
SOME hostel chains have a membership scheme where you pay a fee to get discounted rates. Membership to YHA for example entitles you to discounts on accommodation, trips and activities. Some hostels offer storage facilities free of charge for short stays but often charge for longer stays so it may be worth checking out alternative locations such as train stations or travellers’ centres.
Hostels are a great place to meet people and swap traveller’s tips. Quite often they have a jobs board where local employers advertise vacancies suitable for backpackers. Many also have travel desks on site where you can book trips in the area as well. Notices are also regularly placed seeking shared lifts, with petrol costs divided for the entire journey. There are also regular advertisements for cars and camping equipment for sale.
MOST recently arrived ex-pats find shared accommodation the best option. Quite often, the house or flat will have all the main household items – fridge, furniture, TV – so you will just need to furnish your own room.
A shared room in a house can cost anything from $80–$150 per week. For your own room, you can pay up to $200 weekly. You will have to pay a bond – usually four weeks rent – to the person whose name is on the lease. You will also have to pay your share of household utilities.
The main advantage of shared accommodation is that it’s a great way to meet the locals and you’re not tied to a lease. You’ll find share accommodation for each city advertised in the papers, local websites and on shop windows and lamp-posts.
IF you are planning to spend from three to six months or more in one city, then getting your own place is advisable.
Most travellers are dismayed to discover that the vast majority of Australian houses and apartments come unfurnished, but there are businesses that specialise in renting furnished apartments or houses to short-term residents.
Alternatively, furniture can easily be rented, or bought even cheaper at the frequent garage sales that take place all over the cities. Online boards such as Gumtree advertise cheap furniture for sale in your area and, unthinkable as it may be at home, you can often pick up tables and sofas of fairly good quality that have been left on the side of the street.
The Irish Australian Welfare Bureaus in both Sydney and Melbourne also operate a free furniture-lending service for backpackers and it is worth calling them to see what they have in stock.
Unfortunately, there is a rental crisis ongoing in most Australian capitals at the moment and finding accommodation, particularly in the summer months, can require a bit of time and patience. With over 1000 people arriving every week in both Sydney and Melbourne, space is tight and you may have to be prepared to pay a bit more and live a little further out of the city than you envisaged.
With competition so high, arm yourself with as much ammunition as possible to impress estate agents and convince them you will be a model tenant.
Dress as if you are going for a job interview, bring references from previous landlords and if possible, someone you have stayed with in Australia.
If you don’t have a job, bring a bank statement showing how much cash you have in the bank. You may still be asked to pay a few months’ rent in advance as well as your bond (usually one month’s rent – see panel) if you’re unemployed – weigh up the rental situation in the area and decide whether it is worth it.
Groups of guys will have the hardest time convincing estate agents that they are a safe bet as girls and couples are considered less likely to party hard and trash the place.
Sometimes it is a good idea to tell the agent you are considering permanent residency and bring job references that are a testimony to your good character.
You’re generally better off house-hunting mid-week if you can, and even then it’s not unusual to see twenty people queuing up to view the same property. Pick an area and visit the estate agents in person.
Websites such as www.domain.com.au will show all the properties listed in your area. View as many as you can and don’t be too picky or you’ll find yourself homeless for longer.
The main advantage of shared accommodation is that it’s a great way to meet the locals and you’re not tied to a lease. You’ll find share accommodation for each city advertised in the papers, local websites and on shop windows and lampposts.
IF you are planning to spend from three to six months or more in one city, then getting your own place is advisable.
Most travellers are dismayed to discover that the vast majority of Australian houses and apartments come unfurnished, but there are businesses that specialise in renting furnished apartments or houses to short-term residents.
Alternatively, furniture can easily be rented, or bought even cheaper at the frequent garage sales that take place all over the cities. Online boards such as Gumtree advertise cheap furniture for sale in your area and, unthinkable as it may be at home, you can often pick up tables and sofas of fairly good quality that have been left on the side of the street.
The Irish Australian Welfare Bureaus in both Sydney and Melbourne also operate a free furniture-lending service for backpackers and it is worth calling them to see what they have in stock.
Unfortunately, there is a rental crisis ongoing in most Australian capitals at the moment and finding accommodation, particularly in the summer months, can require a bit of time and patience. With over 1,000 people arriving every week in both Sydney and Melbourne, space is tight and you may have to be prepared to pay a bit more and live a little further out of the city than you envisaged.
With competition so high, arm yourself with as much ammunition as possible to impress estate agents and convince them you will be a model tenant.
Dress as if you are going for a job interview, bring references from previous landlords and, if possible, someone you have stayed with in Australia.
If you don’t have a job, bring a bank statement showing how much cash you have in the bank. You may still be asked to pay a few months’ rent in advance as well as your bond (usually one month’s rent – see panel) if you’re unemployed – weigh up the rental situation in the area and decide whether it is worth it.
Groups of guys will have the hardest time convincing estate agents that they are a safe bet as girls and couples are considered less likely to party hard and trash the place.
Sometimes it is a good idea to tell the agent you are considering permanent residency and bring job references that are a testimony to your good character.
You’re generally better off house-hunting mid-week if you can, and even then it’s not unusual to see 20 people queuing up to view the same property. Pick an area and visit the estate agents in person.
Websites such as www.domain.com.au will show all the properties listed in your area. View as many as you can and don’t be too picky or you’ll find yourself homeless for longer.

An Irish-born Queensland MP has caused uproar in his state after dramatically defecting from the Labor party to join the Greens.

Ronan Lee, 32, who emigrated with his family to Australia when he was 13 years old, has stunned colleagues by quitting Labor, forwhich he has won his Indooroopilly seat three times since 2001, to become Queensland’s first Green MP.

His outraged former colleagues have branded him a “rat” and a “turncoat”, but Lee has stood by his shock decision, telling the Irish Echo that the Greens entering into government in Ireland had a role to play in his choice.

“It has really played a not insignificant role in my decision,” he said. “I was listening on YouTube to speeches by some of the senior figures in the Irish Green Party and they really inspired me.”

Lee grew up in the small farming community of Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan before moving to Queensland with his family in 1989. 

He was first elected in 2001 at the age of just 25, and has since gained a reputation for being outspoken and something of a maverick within the Queensland Labor party.

“I’ve been a pretty strong voice in the government about the environment and I’ve come to the conclusion that joining the Green Party is the only way to go about getting this issue on the agenda,” he told the Echo.

Lee’s sudden departure from Labor was a huge shock for his colleagues, including Premier Anna Bligh, who reportedly only heard of his decision when informed by local media.

 “Look, some people are miffed,” Lee conceded. “But I’ve been really impressed with the strong support I’ve received from my community, who have been very good to me in the last three elections.”

Now he must focus on convincing that same community to vote him in as a Green MP rather than a Labor one in the next election, which is scheduled for the end of next year.

His family – parents Sean and Mary and sisters Sinéad, Tríona and Rioghnach – were totally behind his decision, he said.

“Anyone who knows me, knows that the issue that drives me the most in politics is the environment and how to tackle climate change,” he said. 

“This is the biggest issue we’ll face in this lifetime and it will determine how our grandkids view us in the future.”

The Greens forming a coalition government in the last Irish general election was “very heartening,” he added. 

“Ireland has become one of the most cutting edge countries when it comes to important policy issues.”