first q? was there a tram involved? Us NSW'ers get confused with that

On a green arrow, hell yeah, I'd do that. If it was a green light only and you had to give way to oncoming cars, I'd probably just wait at the back of the line so the cars could go straight ahead without me blocking them but if you have a green arrow then go for it. I believe in NSW you are allowed to go ahead of the line in any situation like that.

RTA Quote:
"Cyclists also have some special rights, which include:
Riding two abreast, no more than 1.5 m apart

........Travelling to the front of a line of traffic on the left hand side of the stopped vehicles...........

Travelling in Bus Lanes and Transit Lanes. However, cyclists cannot travel in Bus Only Lanes
Travelling on the footpath where indicated by signage
Cycling on the footpath if the cyclist is less than 12 years old. An adult, who is riding in a supervisory capacity of a cyclist less than 12 years old, may also ride with the young cyclist on the footpath
Turning right from the left hand lane of a multi-lane roundabout with the proviso the cyclists must give way to exiting traffic."