Pete's review of Australia - an Aussie replies

[teskak]

Thought I would put my counter points to Pete's comments - other Aussies feel free to join in:

1) urinals. As a girl I cannot comment with knowledge, but my dh acknowledges he does not like the long sinks, and at the uni where he works you might be lucky to get 2 guys at a time at the long sinks, and they are at either ends. He always chooses the stall. The exception might be in a pub when you are both drunk & busting - in which case make sure your shoe laces are well tied first. As for gay bars in Sydney .

2) Gay & Sydney - "most" Aussies are pretty proud of the Sydney GBLBT Mardi Gras. It is the biggest party night of the year, bigger even than NYE. there are of course a few who pray for rain, but that is probably due the fact their faces are painted large on the GLBTQ floats - Aussies remember Pauline Pants Down? Do not yet have gay marriage but legal recognition in all other ways of the relationship.

3) Beautiful people - I wish. but with so much sunlight and the population based around the beaches then there is more opportunity for swimsuits.

4) Bathrooms with a view- no that is not normal

5) Pineapple on a burger - called a Hawaiian so for that one I blame the Americans

6) Beetroot on a burger, especially with fried egg - Aussie burger but is not mandatory. There is no such thing as 'carmelized onions' but if you asked for fried onions, no problem.

7) Burgers should always be well done - undercooked mince is sent back to the kitchen.

8) Alcohol & tobacco, gambling - Referred to as 'sin taxes' easy to collect and like speeding tickets (voluntary taxation ) people keep paying. Tax is about 40% of the price of a bottle of spirits & 60% of the price of cigarettes. Lower tax rate for lower alcohol beer and there was a massive fight about the tax rate for pre-mix drinks as they were being binge drunk by kids.

9) Age of drinking - 18, same as age for smoking, voting, military service, gay sex. Age 16 for independant consent to health care & hetero sex.

10) Goods & Services Tax - is 10% on everything but fresh food (cooked food & cakes etc subject to the tax), health care (but not cosmetic medicine or dentistry) & education

11 ) Highish taxes for those who earn an income, but provides a comprehensive medical care for those who need it - a friend's brother was in ICU for a month and it cost them nothing

12) A pension or unemployment benefit is available to all who cannot work and are actively trying to get work. It is about $300 per week, so not a lot but there is also government housing for those in need. Because there is no end point on the benefit it can get into a political issue....

13) Aussies are quite proud of the number of snakes, spiders, ticks, jellyfish, octopus, fish and CROCODILES that can kill you in all number of ways and how quickly they can kill you.

 

[The Scotts]

I was really surprised when Pete said (a couple of times) that 'there is no poverty in Australia'. When we visited in 2005, poverty was everywhere. It was really upsetting, especially in Alice Springs.

However, we were backpacking and working our way round your beautfiul country so we were probably more exposed to it. Maybe it's because the Disney tour is carefully orchestrated and takes place in relative luxury.

 

[Toy Story]

Some of my comments are from the podcast:
- there is poverty
- as op mentioned - there is free medical care for everyone
- I think most people get paid on Thursday - but not by cheque, I am pretty sure the majority get paid directly into their bank
- there are people who are overweight
- yes, the fruit (& vegetables) in Australia are amazing, and the eggs would have had orange yolks as they were probably fresh free range eggs
- the coffee is good and strong - probably die to the large number of Italians who migrated here, and instigated a lot of the 'cafe' culture
- physical education is a compulsory part of the school years - surfing is not offered everywhere (unfortunately we do not all live near a beach)
- yes it is a beautiful country, so we have to have all the deadly animals, plants and sea-life otherwise everybody would want to move here.

I really enjoyed reading Pete's reviews. As an Australian who has never been to Uluru, your words sent shivers down my spine.

 

[teskak]

Chiming in on the poverty bit (but trying not to turn it into a Community Board type issue)

There is unemployment / disability / single parent benefit and a variety of other income supports. But, especially in the Northern Territory (where Ayers Rock is) there is a huge problem of alcoholism with the indigenous community. $300/wk is paid, but if that much is spent on grog & junk food there is a problem. Major government policies & issues and stuff not suitable for a discussion on this board.

There is the evident homelessness caused by alcohol & addiction in the big cities but the pan handling is nowhere to the extent I have seen in the USA. There is a lot of mortgage stress with a lot of houses but not to the extent you read of in the USA with whole streets subject to foreclosure.

Military is not a big part of life and the army is comparatively small. There is no pressure on recruitment etc.

There is access to tertiary education for all who want it, the fees for study are about $10,000 per year and if not paid upfront are repaid through the taxation system once the graduate is working.

 

[disneyholic family]

no poverty in australia? I guess ABD shows you the world through disney colored glasses.....but then again, that's really all most people want to see on vacation anyway...