what don't you like about Aus?

[monsta]

Hey Guys,

I am not trying to be negative. I was just wondering what people thought were some negatives that migrants should be prepared for.

For example, Australia is a nanny state. There are local council rules and red tape, state laws and federal laws.

In addition to each level of government making laws and fining you for breaking them. They always fight over who pays for what. It took 30 years for the New South Wales government and the federal government to agree on Sydney's new airport.

Cheers

Edited April 24, 2014 by monsta

[rozellem]

Nope, after 5+ years in Aus, I have never understood the "nanny state" people (mostly in South Africa) go on about. I certainly dont feel it in my daily life here. I cant think of something I dislike or struggle with, except the absence of family in my and my kids life. Oh, and probably that when I feel like chatting to somebody on the phone in RSA or Europe, they are asleep.

[monsta]

Well, then you have it good. I hear local Aussies complain all the time about

* Traffic in Sydney, especially the M4 motorway

* The high cost of childcare

* The high cost of property

* The pain of securing a rental or finding a job.

* The "Australian tax". Overseas companies almost alwasys charge Aussies 20-30% more for the same thing ( e.g music on iTunes)

I could go on and on with their "1st world problems".

[OubaasDik]

All sorts of things "something must be done" and "think of the children".

I include an act at the Perth Royal Show where a pig jumped from a diving board into a pool (from quite a height). Pig seemed to enjoy it.

Immediate shouts from RSPCA - and cries for a Royal Commission (WTF)

When I moved into my "home" in 2002, the garbo didn't come fetch my bin - in a cul-de-sac. So, I phoned the municipality and asked what I could do. The answer was they yold me where to place the bin (out of the cul-de-sac) or they would send someone round to "counsel me" - on my side an instinctive cry of "WTF".

Yes Aus is more regulated, it has advantages, like my daughter is 21, I don't follow her with a club and she hasn't been indecently assaulted (YET).

[Fish]

Never sure about the complaints about iTunes etc. People make the mistake of comparing using exchange rates rather than percentage of average wage. If we pay a smaller percentage of our australian average wage for a song than they do who has it dearer ?

I think childcare is quite affordable for 2-3 days per week at $37.50 per day. A couple of hours of minimum wage to pay for it. Starts to increase after that though still cheaper than some like the UK.

I hear Sydney people complaining about the traffic and high house prices and rentals. Tough to live there in the more expensive parts.

Some things I don't like:

- attitude to cyclists and cycling infrastructure compared to best practice

- prioritising roads too much over public transit in cities

- too low density suburbs with new build houses far too big on average - biggest in the world now

- lack of mixed mode transport planning in new estates...too much emphasis on cars

- too high speed limits in suburban back streets - should be reduced from 50 to 35 like many places in the world so kids are safer and suburbs are more liveable.

- growth of counter productive american style tea party conservatism and religious influence in govt

- growth in a more boastful flag waving patriotism over the part few decades...especially after john howards decade.

- funding for private schools and hospitals is going too far to the point the public systems may be at risk.

- too hot summers sometimes

- female newsreaders bizarre voices

- dumbing down and excessive political manipulation of newspapers through concentration of ownership

- football not being the number 1 sport like it should be

- ACA and TT type shows

Not sure some of these complaints wouldn't be the same wherever I lived but there you go for a start

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fish

[OubaasDik]

Never sure about the complaints about iTunes etc. People make the mistake of comparing using exchange rates rather than percentage of average wage. If we pay a smaller percentage of our australian average wage for a song than they do who has it dearer ?

I think childcare is quite affordable for 2-3 days per week at $37.50 per day. A couple of hours of minimum wage to pay for it. Starts to increase after that though still cheaper than some like the UK.

I hear Sydney people complaining about the traffic and high house prices and rentals. Tough to live there in the more expensive parts.

Some things I don't like:

- attitude to cyclists and cycling infrastructure compared to best practice

Cyclists who behave as though they own they the roads. Legally they may well do - but have they weighed up the relative momentum between a twit on a bike and a car?

- prioritising roads too much over public transit in cities

- too low density suburbs with new build houses far too big on average - biggest in the world now

What people want, it appears

- lack of mixed mode transport planning in new estates...too much emphasis on cars

- too high speed limits in suburban back streets - should be reduced from 50 to 35 like many places in the world so kids are safer and suburbs are more liveable.

- growth of counter productive american style tea party conservatism and religious influence in govt

Bite me

- growth in a more boastful flag waving patriotism over the part few decades...especially after john howards decade.

As opposed to the "can't let anyone know we love our country and the way it's run"

- funding for private schools and hospitals is going too far to the point the public systems may be at risk.

- too hot summers sometimes

"Yep, I'll turn down my heating"

- female newsreaders bizarre voices

Holy dungbeetles, Batman - I thought it was just me - the dolly on & sounds like she has a permanent adenoid problem.

- dumbing down and excessive political manipulation of newspapers through concentration of ownership

Yep, those lefty papers like "The Age" really burn my 'fundament'.

- football not being the number 1 sport like it should be

It is - oh, sorry, are you being "Eurocentric" now - you racist, you.

- ACA and TT type shows

Not sure some of these complaints wouldn't be the same wherever I lived but there you go for a start

[Fish]

Never sure about the complaints about iTunes etc. People make the mistake of comparing using exchange rates rather than percentage of average wage. If we pay a smaller percentage of our australian average wage for a song than they do who has it dearer ?

I think childcare is quite affordable for 2-3 days per week at $37.50 per day. A couple of hours of minimum wage to pay for it. Starts to increase after that though still cheaper than some like the UK.

I hear Sydney people complaining about the traffic and high house prices and rentals. Tough to live there in the more expensive parts.

Some things I don't like:

- attitude to cyclists and cycling infrastructure compared to best practice

Cyclists who behave as though they own they the roads. Legally they may well do - but have they weighed up the relative momentum between a twit on a bike and a car?

^^^ Yes you got it, those type of comments that fill the newspapers...good example

- prioritising roads too much over public transit in cities

- too low density suburbs with new build houses far too big on average - biggest in the world now

What people want, it appears

Sure, we all pay for it though...they should be priced so they cover costs

- lack of mixed mode transport planning in new estates...too much emphasis on cars

- too high speed limits in suburban back streets - should be reduced from 50 to 35 like many places in the world so kids are safer and suburbs are more liveable.

- growth of counter productive american style tea party conservatism and religious influence in govt

Bite me

Lean forward a little

- growth in a more boastful flag waving patriotism over the part few decades...especially after john howards decade.

As opposed to the "can't let anyone know we love our country and the way it's run"

Rather than that strawman I was thinking as opposed to the Australia of my youth where understated pride and "wind your neck in poser" was more common

- funding for private schools and hospitals is going too far to the point the public systems may be at risk.

- too hot summers sometimes

"Yep, I'll turn down my heating"

- female newsreaders bizarre voices

Holy dungbeetles, Batman - I thought it was just me - the dolly on & sounds like she has a permanent adenoid problem.

- dumbing down and excessive political manipulation of newspapers through concentration of ownership

Yep, those lefty papers like "The Age" really burn my 'fundament'.

- football not being the number 1 sport like it should be

It is - oh, sorry, are you being "Eurocentric" now - you racist, you.

I prefer the term Worldcentric...it is now officially called football here like almost the whole world

- ACA and TT type shows

Not sure some of these complaints wouldn't be the same wherever I lived but there you go for a start

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fish

[Bronwyn&Co]

Hehe you guys...Fish I find your list intriguing. I think I agree with newsreaders' voices & boastful flag waving, otherwise I think we're polar opposites but that's ok.

Hmmmm what can I add? In no particular order:

Very, very bad TV adverts, atrocious spelling by 90% of people, racism against asians, officious pompous knobs everywhere, dirty filthy yucky restaurant bathrooms, absolutely shocking waitrons who do you a massive favour by walking the earth, stupid rules that have no actual purpose, tiny screens at the cinema.

I'll maybe think of more later.

Edited to change 'restaurant toilets' to 'bathrooms'. I didn't mean the actual toilet is dirty. That's the bit that gets a given a wipe by the waitron sometimes (hence bad mood epidemic)

Edited April 24, 2014 by Bronwyn&Co

[OubaasDik]

Don't bend over unless under duress.

[Fish]

Hehe you guys...Fish I find your list intriguing. I think I agree with newsreaders' voices & boastful flag waving, otherwise I think we're polar opposites but that's ok.

Hmmmm what can I add? In no particular order:

Very, very bad TV adverts, atrocious spelling by 90% of people, racism against asians, officious pompous knobs everywhere, dirty filthy yucky restaurant toilets, absolutely shocking waitrons who do you a massive favour by walking the earth, stupid rules that have no actual purpose, tiny screens at the cinema.

I'll maybe think of more later.

2 bah, 6 at least, you're not trying hard enough

[Jordy]

My list would include:

- The excessive consumption of alcohol by both teenagers and adults

- The "Australia tax" (I totally disagree with Fish's reasoning above to justify this but don't want to derail this thread by expanding.)

- Hoons leaving tiremarks on roads

- The weak governmental response to whaling and government killing of sharks in WA

- The fact that Australia's market is dominated by a duopoly.

- Burping in public seems acceptable

Funny the things that annoy you when you been here a while, and have forgotten the hell hole that is South Africa.

[Fish]

I totally disagree with Jordy's reasoning as well but don't want to derail this thread either

"- Burping in public seems acceptable"...really ?

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fish

[Bronwyn&Co]

2 bah, 6 at least, you're not trying hard enough

Fish but I am a capitalist piggy who loves a great big house, hates cyclists and wouldn't be caught dead on a bus (my 4x4 is more comfy).

Only joking. Well....sort of..?

Edited to add: any government funding which will ease my pvt school fees is most welcome.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Bronwyn&Co

[Fish]

Fish but I am a capitalist piggy who loves a great big house, hates cyclists and wouldn't be caught dead on a bus (my 4x4 is more comfy).

Only joking. Well....sort of...

You're not thinking this through In a big congested city if everyone who is willing and able to catch public transit or use active transport is catered for the roads will be less congested for the capitalist piggies Catering for all uses of transport well is the key, so that one doesn't choke. <condescension off>

[Bronwyn&Co]

I totally disagree with Jordy's reasoning as well but don't want to derail this thread either

"- Burping in public seems acceptable"...really ?

This is true. A teenage girl burped unbelievably loudly near me yesterday. I was proud of my non-reaction.

[Jordy]

Yeah, burping in public. I can't believe how many do this. Walking through a mall, and someone just burps. Sitting in Maccas and someone at another table will just burp. What's up with that?

[Bronwyn&Co]

You're not thinking this through In a big congested city if everyone who is willing and able to catch public transit or use active transport is catered for the roads will be less congested for the capitalist piggies Catering for all uses of transport well is the key, so that one doesn't choke. <condescension off>

I know Fish, just messing with you but still, what can I say, I'm a petrol-head.

[Fish]

This is true. A teenage girl burped unbelievably loudly near me yesterday. I was proud of my non-reaction.

In my area we don't let the teenage girls set the standards...we must be posh

Yeah, burping in public. I can't believe how many do this. Walking through a mall, and someone just burps. Sitting in Maccas and someone at another table will just burp. What's up with that?

Don't know...can't say I have noticed it...you need to change your friends

I know Fish, just messing with you ...

I knew it....so I'll chalk you up for:

- better separated cycling infrastructure -> so you can drive your 4wd in peace without sharing the road with cyclists

- slower speeds in your street -> so you can reverse your 4wd out without worrying having a speedway at your front door

- hating ACA and TT -> so you no longer have to watch beat-ups about suburban 4wd owners

ok, that's 5...need 1 more...

Bronwyn wrote: "any government funding which will ease my pvt school fees is most welcome."

Hmmm....how about, a universally strong public school system so you don't have to send your kids private where you live...save you a fortune and you could upgrade your 4wd ?

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fish

[Bronwyn&Co]

Monsta I'm sorry we are hijacking your thread. We should start a new one named 'Insomniacs in Australia'. I'll just quickly reply to Fish...

Fish, it's ok I live in a cul-de-sac and I only watch Foxtel, so I don't care about that stuff ? but if you can get better cycling lanes so I don't have to watch out for cyclists, that would be awesome!

Actually I think we should give Milton Rd to cyclists, I'm scared of it.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Bronwyn&Co

[Fish]

Monsta I'm sorry we are hijacking your thread. We should start a new one named 'Insomniacs in Australia'. I'll just quickly reply to Fish...

...

Yes, you do go on a bit...

...Actually I think we should give Milton Rd to cyclists, I'm scared of it.

Err....thanks, but we'll take coronation drive, less hills

Glad we could get to 6 Bronwyn...I knew deep down we had a lot in common....tomorrow we can try for 9 do you think ? Good night!!!

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fish

[Bronwyn&Co]

Night Fish

[HadEnoughofJuju]

I just don't like apple so that negates any debate about iTunes or any other related mac products for me. I'm a Linux moster and that's free no matter where you are in the world.

As for the nanny state thing. We live in QLD which is apparently the worst of all and all I can say is that for once we are living in a place where rules count and people follow them. Those that don't are sorted out by society (or the cops who actually do their jobs) quickly.

If people want to break the rules and cut corners (and yes I refer mostly to the Saffa mentality here) please go back to your country of origin and break the rules there and leave this nice, happy, chilled lay back, rule following country to those who want to be here.

Oops, after reading that I realise I was ranting a bit. Appologies but I get a bit riled up when I hear of people trying to do things the good old South African way. Which gives the reat of us a bad name. Not aimed at anyone here.

[Fish]

Apple comes with its own unix OS X which is free as well...just saying

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fish

[HadEnoughofJuju]

The kernal may be free but try getting apps (that are worth anything), music or any other software that works for mac.

[Fish]

The kernal may be free but try getting apps (that are worth anything), music or any other software that works for mac.

Best free and paid apps I've ever used. The suit of free apps that comes with OS X is great. Choc full of goodness Never touch my windows PC now and I'm a windows software developer. Music ?

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fish