Spouse Visa Or Tourist Visa For Australia

[Madivad]

I posted sometime ago, when I was living and working permanently in Australia, but now circumstances have changed and I'm living in Thailand for the foreseeable future, however, my long term goal is to go back to Australia but it wont be for at least a year or more (and since the processing time for spousal visas are at 10 months, maybe this is a good thing).

My wife (we were married in Australia, October 2010) has been to Australia twice:

1) 5 months from March 2010, and

2) 2.5 months from October 2010

We've been together since November 2009.

When she got the second TV they told her "no more TV, apply for more appropriate visa next time." At the time I had no great issue with that because I was living and working in Australia and we could have gone either route. But now I'm living here and I do plan to go back to Australia a few times throughout the year and I would (obviously) like her to come, she will actually continue to be a legitimate tourist.

Q1: Given she's been told no more TVs does that preclude us from applying stating the new grounds? Well, "preclude" is the wrong word, because we can apply, regardless, but will they look poorly on her given there may be a "black mark" against her name?

Q2: Should we just apply for a spousal visa first? Then a TV for her? Or just apply for both at the same time? Does it look good or bad doing both together?

and finally

Q3: Has anyone used a migration agent in the Phuket area and with what level of satisfaction (obviously if you've had bad service, you need not reply here due to forum rules - send me a PM instead), but if you have found someone in the area that was efficient or just a good experience, then please, let me know.

When she came for the second TV we actually had everything together to go the proposed marriage route, and so we pretty much have everything together. I have read the pinned topics, and other threads, and I know it's not rocket science, but I'm thinking the more I remove myself from the process it may just save a little aggravation on my part.

We do have a pretty simple application (I believe), I've been married before but have all the divorce stuff (and marriage stuff), she's never married before, no children, university educated. I have several stat decs from people back home, but most of these are 6 months old (Q4: is THAT a problem? Should get/need new/fresh ones?)

I know I have posted before and asked similar questions, but our circumstances have changed somewhat with my move here and just after some opinion/advice.

Thanks