Australia is a country of equal opportunity, where women have the same rights as men. In Australia, it is illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their gender.

Ms Jackson and her committee seem to me to have based their argument on a somewhat shaky foundation. If one works in a low paid or casual job, one will obviously earn less than someone who works full-time in a highly paid job. I don’t see that as discrimination, or a gender assumption, just a pragmatic example of cause and effect

I’m often asked by prospective visa applicants whether they should use a migration agent to assist them with their Australian visa application.

My advice is that deciding whether to retain a migration agent is like deciding whether to use a tax agent to complete your tax return, or a lawyer to represent you in Court. Many people manage their own matters successfully; others are glad they obtained professional support.

Regional Australia offers open spaces, less expensive life styles than our major cities, employment opportunities and the wonderful Australian environment.

From 9 November, certain de facto relationships will be exempt from the 12 months’ cohabitation requirement.