Bob Y. - Qld replied:

bleepa,

Q1 - yes
2 - yes, but would double cost of each repeater, need permission of all owners, and would piss everyone off because there would be signals coming from everywhere, all the time. Especially while people insist on using repeater input channels.
3 - this is a new one to me, the reptr call sign is only for registration purposes, and indentification. That voice is a recorded one.
4 - Same as 1
5 - yes, you only need to be on the rptr channel, with radio on duplex.
6 - Channels 1 - 8
7 - Yes, this site has a list, there is another too.

Hooroo...

Kevin replied:

For emergencies you should try channel 5 duplex first, however this channel should not be used for "chit chat" as some ignorant people do as it is the designated emergency channel.