Originally Posted by denver

Exile, do you think I am blinkered and you are not? I am very happy to admit that there are things I like about the UK, and that English people have some fantastic characteristics. If I was so blinkered, I could possibly not admit to anything positive about the UK. Other nations on Earth are also fantastic in many ways.You seem unable to see anything positive about Australia, which I find quite interesting. To me this suggests you have "tall poppy" syndrome where you have a need to pull down someone or something to make you feel better about something that you feel is lacking in yourself (maybe nationality?)

I am reminded of a close friend who I love to bits, but who has the annoying habit of buying beauty magazines and critising every little flaw that models/actresses have, and deciding that they are all the products of plastic surgery/professional lighting. Now, I am sure that in some cases those things have been applied, but really, they are just extraordinarily beautiful women, and that's life. Bringing them down by excessive unwarranted critism won't change that fact.

My family and friends are all well educated people, yes they like sport but they all have a multitude of interests and are also happy and cheery most of the time. They have all travelled and not one (except a girlfriend who wants to live in New York), have felt the need to move overseas permanently.

I have travelled, and have decided that I am unbelievable lucky to have grown up in Australia, and be able to return there to live. It is a peaceful, prosperous nation with a fantastic lifestyle even for people who do not earn a packet of money. However, we all have to work on our societies and I know that Australia is far from perfect, but will also only get better.

I post because I feel that a lot of what is said on this forum is so rediculous and untrue, though I do realise I am not going to influence your set in stone hatred/bitterness (bordering on racism - yes I said it!) of Australia.

Nonetheless, I wish you all the best in your return to your idyllic life in the UK.

Originally Posted by tofster

At the risk of patronising (!), I feel Tableland has posted probably the most intelligent, sensible and balanced-view posts anywhere on this forum, ever. (Right, that's enough praise!)
It's difficult to see how anyone could make a decision based on this article. The guy concerned is obviously a high-flying entrepreneur - doesn't matter where he comes from. Stelios doesn't spend much time in Greece (or Cyprus -can't remember!) cos he has an airline to run. Plenty of European pro golfers play on the US tour - that's where the dosh is.
Anyone with that drive will always look outside their own country for opportunity. The main (and worrying, for me as far as the UK is concerned) are these:
The worry is that there is an alleged "brain drain" from Oz. Unless I'm missing something, Oz has one of the toughest immigration policies around, so you won't get any ol' Tom, Dick or Harry being admitted there and replacing those who leave. True, there may be an influx of trades, but perhaps there are enough managers and leaders already and if not, that will balance out in time. Suffice to say the "quality" of immigrants to Oz should be high.
Compare that to the UK's revolving door. 25% of immigration is from Eastern Europe, the other 75% from Sub-Saharan Africa (according to Migrationwatch). TB and HIV are becoming very popular here again, after a period of being out of fashion. So skilled trades, labour and brains being replaced with what? No "racist" accusations please, just putting a point (and facts) across.
Oz pretty well know who is coming and who is leaving.
If there is a brain drain, I know at which end of it I want to be at.

Originally Posted by Exile

I agree, there have been a lot of great posts over the last couple of days. Really interesting reading.

In reference to one of your comments, nobody was expecting people to base decisions on the article. I just thought it would offer an alternative point of view, and one that we don't hear so often.

Originally Posted by wheatsheaf42

Mea culpa on that one too. I do like to generate discussion by occasionally playing Devil's Advocate. Things aren't always really what you read in the tabloids.

Originally Posted by paulrachel

i wonder if the UK payed woman to have babies like they do in OZ, there would be more pregnancies??? I mean $4000 per child in OZ is alot of money.

Originally Posted by HiddenPaw

From Jan 07, teenage mums will be given the $4k in installments instead of one lump sum. There is concern that young mums are "financially vulnerable" and just using the baby bonus to buy big plasma TVs. Not sure how installments will counteract that trend - surely they'll just slap it on a credit card instead and pay it later?

Australia does not have maternity pay laws (so it's up to the individual policy of the company whether they offer it or not), and there is no stautory maternity pay, so in some ways, the baby bonus is a substitute for that - i.e. designed to soften the financial blow for women who would otherwise choose not to give up work and have a baby as it would not be finacially viable. In the UK, a working mother-to-be would be entitled to maternity pay, either from an employer or from the state. I don't think the UK would ever offer a baby bonus and SMP

Originally Posted by chels

In my case, $4000 dollar compared to SMP (at the very least) or more likely some maternity payment from an employer - no contest! $4000 is less than 2 weeks net pay for me, compared to the 16 weeks I think I was entitled to in England. The lack of equivalent maternity leave would mean taking time out of the workplace to have a child would have significant financial implications.

Originally Posted by Old William

Unlikely, since the majority of UK males aren't uneducated chauvinistic pigs.

Now what the UK is becoming is what Oz wanted to be but failed dismally to achieve...a vibrant, multicultural, world leading society full of buzz where professionals can excel and familes can achieve....only with a nice pleasant climate that wont kill you or fry you.

Originally Posted by HiddenPaw

$4k is govt funded tho - 16 weeks full pay in the UK is employer funded - you can't compare. SMP in the UK is a max £105/week for 26 weeks - so ~£2700 BUT only available if you are/were in employment. Oz baby bonus is irrespective of employment status.

Originally Posted by TraceyW

One big problem; I still don't feel I 'belong' here. Someone tell me how the hell I can make that go away, or do any more to settle than I already have done? I'm tired of trying now.

Originally Posted by kiwi_child

I been here since mid 90s and still don't feel as though I belong or are settled within myself here. I know I am going to leave and it won't be far off now. Interestingly, I did not experience this anywhere to the degree I have in Perth.

In my opinon you can't make it go away because it's part of the culture of Perth. It's part of the surreal, and intangible that can't seemingly be altered. For me, the call to leave has only gotten stronger with time, like a warnign to leave this insanity and go to where real life can be found! My advice: if you still feel like this in another 12 months, then make you plans to move, before life begins to seem and feel pointless.

Originally Posted by Eric Hitchmo

Give them all medals and put some bunting up. People from the UK have been successful around the globe for hundreds of years and no-one here bats an eyelid. Banging on about it is just another sign of Aussie insecurity.

Originally Posted by Wendy

Hey Christina, long time no see. Hows it going?

Originally Posted by kiwi_child

Yeh okay thanx Wendy, how have you &family been? Settled in ok? All the best for xmas n NY