>The 2 metre amateur (ham) radio band is 144 to 148 mhz in Oz similar to the USA and other parts of the world I believe, but is a secondary service here.<
In ITU Region 1 the 2m amateur band is 144-146MHz and the amateur and amateur satellite services are primary users. In Regions 2 and 3 (the latter including Australia) they're also primary and the band is 144-148MHz.