TheCreature

I don't doubt for one second that there are plenty of folks here in Oz who can't speak English, a trip into parts of Sydney would confirm that in no time.

It's just that doesn't appear to be the case down here in the Gong, despite its sizable European communities.

verystormy

My wife is a volunteer with polytechnic west which runs a government course teaching new immigrants English. There are LOTS of people arriving who speak no English. My wife's current student is Indian and her husband was main applicant. He speaks perfect English. She could not speak a word on arrival.

Grayling

You obviously don't work in healthcare then

Bernieboy

Since when did aussies speak english

TheCreature

Say's the man from 'norn iron'

TheCreature

Correct.

hairart

So how have these people managed to get into Australia and work?

Pollyana

Because they are family of skilled migrants, or spouses/children of Spouse Visa migrants, or refugees, or they only knew enough correct English to pass IELTS.......for starters!! Some of them were even born here with parents who have been here years but cannot speak English and did not have to when they moved here. Not everyone who comes here has to work either.

I had a friend who was Greek, came here many years ago as a small child. Her father learned some Engish at work, but her mother knew none, right up to her death about 5 years ago. My friend used to say to her mum on the phone in Greek 'Polly is here, say hello' and put the phone to my ear, I'd say Hi and hand the phone back I could've said anything and she would not have understood - I think thats sad after 40 years here.

Two years ago I spent a lot of time producing booklets in ten languages, which (from memory) included Greek, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, Lebanese and Japanese with details of how to prepare for a cyclone or tsunami. We prodiced over 30,000 of each, just for Queensland, trying to reach people who can't communicate in English, for whatever reason.

hairart

It's just a little annoying that we share the same queen, many people have very strong ties to Australian citizens, yet it is so difficult to do anything other than visit.. Even though some are prepared to pay... it was in the news the other day that so many people are coming to the UK for the our national health service, its stretching it to the limit, and waiting times are growing, and they may start charging people that are not UK permanent residents. Last year i had to wait 9 months to get some pain relief injections in my spine!

Dorothy

Much like the public health system in Australia, then.

hairart

Oh... I was always lead to believe that it was so much better than that in Australia

Dorothy

It's not. I just recently booked heart surgery for a youngish guy (38) who was on the waitlist for nearly 7 months. Lack of anaesthetic teams, ward beds and available consultants who do that specific procedure means long wait times.

I also routinely book interpreters for patients who've been here for years.

spouse of scouse

Not if you don't have private health, it's not. Procedures that a classed as 'elective' see you put on a waiting list, how long you wait depends on how many people are before you on the list. My Mum, who had surgery for bowel cancer 5 years ago, has been waiting 18 months for a colonoscopy.

Re the difficulty of a UK citizen getting into Australia, it's harder the other way.

spouse of scouse

Snap, Dorothy

Grayling

By who?