Hi ANSA,
It's interesting to reread this thread after some time has passed. I agree with you about coming back a better controller, and what you should be paid.
The only issue is that AsA is run by career managers who try to run a safety service organisation like any other business. Unfortunately, safety is expensive. Sure, not nearly as expensive as an accident, but its hard to prove on a ledger for an accountant, so they won't believe you. This narrow, blinkered view is also evident in their treatment of Oz controllers returning to Oz.
Because of this mentality and their lack of CDF, we're unlikely to see a change in the current policy.