Pollyana

I work with a couple of ex-ADF people, I'll see if I can find out.

sonlymewalter

would be interesting to know mate

Pollyana

I'll try and remember to ask tomorrow. Found this in the meantime - have a look at Page 30

http://www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/Aug_10_Vol2_Ch11.pdf

Amazulu

Looks like page 30 answers the question - they do pay.

Case closed.

paulry

I must admit that I find it offensive that people are comparing the rights and respect afforded to Australian citizens who die fighting for their country with those of non-citizens who die illegally forcing their presence here.

The whole situation is very bizarre: It's like the owner of a house agreeing to pay for a squatter's relatives to visit him in hospital because the squatter sustained injuries while taking possession of the house.

Bernieboy

Good job you HAVE a visa eh

paulry

Yes, it took many years of hard work to qualify for it. I conformed to the law and the skilled migrant visa application process. And now that I'm here I'm paying my way.

And your point is?

Bernieboy

All that hard work and effort to end up in Canberra

PS when have i EVER made a valent point on BE

paulry

I know, beginning to ask the same question


PS: Ummm.............................................. ....................

ponyrama

Lucky for you that you were born in a low risk country, could afford an education and had the opportunity to work in an economy that allowed you to develop the skills required to get a visa.

Personally I cant remember filling in the pre-conception or in-utero questionaire that gave me the option on which country I would like to be born in??? I guess I got lucky too.

Out of interest, do you happen to have any electric items in your house that might have been made in south east asia? Do you drink brazillian coffee? Do you drink Sri Lankan Tea? Russian Vodka? Petrol? From Saudi Arabia? My guess is that you take full advantage of the global economy for personal material gain yet you draw borders for those people who make that material gain possible for you.

Pffffft!

As for the original question.......of course yes. I would rather my contribution to society be spent on helping someone less fortunate than myself regardless of where they are from - than funding the arms trade, or the drug war.

elice_in_oz

Thanks Polly, I didn't know myself where to look for the answer

Can I nominate your post for POST OF THE YEAR Ponyrama?

I wish I had written exactly the same thing.

We forget too easily that we are immensely lucky to have been born where we have. And before people jump me, I know that a lot of people in the UK, France, Australia and anywhere else in the developed world still struggle every day to survive. However, that does not mean we can forget those who are deprived of some of the most basic freedoms that we, in democratic societies, all take for granted.

Deancm_MKII

Within Australia only and only for parents or dependents. No mention of next of kin.

So, if your parents live in the UK you are stuffed.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Are you in favour of economic migrants bypassing the visa process then?

Turban Explorer

It is not illegal to seek asylum, even arriving by boat.

bcworld