I think Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman made Australia because they liked Baz Lurhman and hoped it would become something similar to his other big budget movies like Moulin Rouge.
Forgot to mention that Australia's relationship with New Zealand is I guess similar to the USA relationship with Canadians. Minimal border controls and visa requirements between the 2 countries, lots of Kiwis come to Australia to work, sit on the dole....... Many many non-Dis friendly jokes concerning Kiwi's, sheep and unnatural relations
Aussies hold very few things to be sacred, besides 2 football grand finals, a horse race, the 3 day weekend, the pub and a 1915 disasterous battle at what is now known as ANZAC Cove
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit we find it bemusing the degree of sacred and passion displayed by USA to national pride / flags and politicians.
During the Australian elections the revalation that a leading candidate (later Prime Minster) visited a strip club in the USA was not met with shame or disgust but instead "Thank Christ he is NORMAL"


But his excuse of being too drunk to look or remember was a bit sad.