I know you're in Vic fella, but I found some cars on Car Point, and all I can say is wow. Prices have dropped big time, no wonder sales have picked up. Going by an ad in the papers, you can get a CL 5-Door for $18,000 or a Zetec for just over $20,000. Hmmmm, go figure!
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/...d=124455ADA4DD
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/...d=124455ADA4DD
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/...259&__Qpb=true
The first two are manuals, for about $20,500, the last is a Moondust Silver Zetec manual in Victoria, for $23,000 D/A. That's a good price for an auto, but going by the first two cars, you may be able to get an auto for $22,000 as the auto adds $2,000.
Good luck fella.