[LennonCook]

Originally posted by Earthdog: Nope. I'm an immigrant to Australia. Im originally from Dallas Texas. They do a background check with the FBI before they will even sell you a plane ticket to Australia. It takes about 30 seconds and then if you pass they give you an Electronic Visitors Visa, which is good for 90 days. It had to be one of two things. Either he hadnt actually been convicted yet, or they ignored his record so they could make some cash off the ticket sales. Sales tax here is called GST and its a flat 10% on everything sold. Calculate that by $84.50 per ticket and the MCG in Melbourne hold 120,000 people. They made more than 1 million in taxes off of ONE concert. (I think thats where he played correct me if I'm wrong.) Capitalism at its finest (circumventing the law in the name of CASH.) What are all the rules for if the government can ignore them for its own convenience????

Hmm... then probably its not an Aussie law, but an american one... possibly, in some states, they don't let you emigrate if you have a record with the FBI. This would make sense with him being allowed here, as it would change from state to state.

Oh, and the GST isn't 10% on everything- its on most things sold legally. Fresh fruit/veg are exempt, and AFAIK, so are a few other things... (frozen food isnt ) ... also, if you purchase by plastic card you are taxed even more for the transaction... so, when you're shopping around Aus, pay in cash when you can. Also, leased cars are a tax deduction...