akiralx

FNQ does have a uniquely isolationist bent, fuelled by some of its residents' desire to secede and become Capricornia. It is far distant even from the state capital let alone the rest of the country. You only have to look at its Federal MP Bob Katter, and his assertion about minorities to see the mindset of many up there. I see his latest effort is to demand relaxation of the country's gun laws to allow more dangerous weapons, on the grounds that his rural constituents need such firearms, and that the southern 'townies' can't appreciate what life is like up there (some element of truth I suppose). His efforts were a tad undermined by the revelation that his son-in-law was the sole importer of the shotgun concerned...

You could get a nice property in Geelong for $850K.... one which might appreciably increase in value :smile:

Yeah, I (age 49, clean record) pay only $400 for my brand new Hyundai iX35. Car insurance here always seems cheap to me compared to the UK, but there's the rego to add on.

This sounds exactly like me, to be honest. My interests are fairly narrow and I just occupy myself with them, I am quite happy with the company of family, UK friends, and myself. I enjoy some aspects of the country but I am unable to embrace it fully.

Yeah, not academics, just your average Aussies reading Ovid and Aeschylus on the morning commute. Do me a favour. Of course there are intellectual Australians, it's just that culture here is very thinly spread. I go to a lot of house viewings and rarely see a bookcase... I'm a Melbourne Symphony subscriber but I'm no longer going in future, as apart from the absurd prices the programmes are all 'classical's greatest hits' - Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven with various warhorse concertos thrown in. It's the same at Opera Australia. It's as if they're doing an impersonation of a cultural icon but without upsetting the punters with something like Messiaen or even Stravinsky which would be regarded as the height of the avant-garde and cause the aged patrons to keel over. There's nothing challenging as there would be in Europe or the US.

You might if returning would cost money you don't have, and cause you to spend more emotional energy that you have already expended getting here, and if you have a good job and unsure prospects of getting one in the place you may want to go to. And if life where you are isn't intolerable by any means, is often enjoyable, and has many good points, it's just missing even more things that make the other place your 'home'.

You may have to get used to it - We have been here for 6 years and the only person I know here is my wife. I had a large circle of friends in the UK, but here it just doesn't happen.

He never said he hated it. Perhaps like me he quite likes the environment, but is just worn down by all the absurd things here, the removal of which would make the country so much better.

Heaven forfend I should leave my taxes here!

Eh?

No, I reckon he's pretty much bang on - particularly about the individualism and lack of challenging conversation: on general election day or when a PM is deposed I try casually mentioning it in my office, and all I hear about is last night's AFL game... I like individual Aussies, it's just 'society' here that frustrates me. I too cannot face seeing out my days here - I will claim the Aus pension if it still exists and return home (if not before).

Bolt's paean to Abbott rewritten to reflect reality: https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/loss-of-tony-abbott-as-prime-minister-is-a-time-of-sooking,8206

Longstanding applications that DIAC have dragged out to absurd lengths by ludicrous delays. Not just scrapped by the way: any fees have been pocketed and the applicants have been told the applications never existed!

Yes, I was going to say, let me know what flight you're on... On a serious note, I hope he wouldn't delay any evacuating passengers behind him in an emergency by wrestling with the overhead locker to retrieve his hand luggage...

Well, you made a decent fist of explaining her comment but I'm not convinced. So as a recent newcomer she should regard herself as 'more Australian' than the third- or fourth-generation Malaysian/Thai/Chinese citizen (who has different 'values'), owing to her 'genetic' resemblance and vague shared kinship to other white Australians...

We love it in Geelong. The city suffered as a result of auto and other industry redundancies but will probably become a more desirable satellite of Melbourne - the rail links have certainly improved this year.

If you search Google for the headline you can read it. There are some great comments under the article.

What a crass (and ineptly written) rant...

We have two cats, one of which is a keen hunter, we have installed a cat bib on him - basically a velcroed triangle of material attached to his collar which does make it hard for the cat to jump on prey. It seems to work well. But I do think these will be our last two cats in Australia for wildlife's sake.

You will struggle to get a contract if not employed.

Well, that was my question. The risk factor is taken into account when making loans, a certain number of defaults are factored into the agreement and the rate - so while the OP should make attempts to repay the loan he shouldn't lose any sleep over defaulting if he returns to the UK permanently.

The wishes of the people who live there are of secondary importance to the UK's economic and strategic aims. If the inhabitants want to live on British soil they can always move there. If the UK props up the Falkands it will be as a result of the resources there not the residents. One article I read made another unrelated but valid point: the right love waging wars but hate dealing with the refugees that are the inevitable result. The Daily Mail is full of reader comments urging the Middle East to be blown skyhigh to defeat ISIS - and then under the next article they demand that minimal refugees be allowed into the UK!

Are Jeremy Corbyn's policies really more 'extreme' than those of the 'centrist' Tory government? http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/are-jeremy-corbyns-policies-really-more-extreme-than-those-of-the-centrist-tory-government-10511659.html 'Corbyn’s willingness to appear on platforms with those linked to terrorist organisations fuel his image as an extremist. Yet the principle of talking to terrorists is mainstream. The former head of Tony Blair’s office, Jonathan Powell, wrote an illuminating book on the theme, Talking to Terrorists: How to End Armed Conflict. Imagine the outrage if Corbyn published a book with that title. I am not comparing Powell’s heroic, tireless negotiations that helped to bring about the still fragile political settlement in Northern Ireland with Corbyn’s conduct from the relatively undemanding safety of the backbenches. But when Corbyn argues that it is necessary sometimes to talk to terrorists all hell breaks loose because we are being conditioned to view him solely and simplistically as “extreme”. Reflect also on Corbyn’s other policy positions. For good or bad he opposes the renewal of Trident, but so does the former Conservative Defence Secretary Michael Portillo. He opposes air strikes on Syria, but so does the former Tory leadership candidate David Davis. Corbyn wants to renationalise the railways, a mainstream view in much of Europe.'

It makes some good points, but the major difference was that Rudd was not unpopular in the country, only with his colleagues - unlike Abbott who had been publicly on the nose for close to a year in front of the entire nation (and overseas as well). The shine seems to be coming off Scott Morrison a little with Abbott's claim that Morrison did not in fact warn him on Friday that his leadership was in danger... Every time I hear Morrison interviewed he comes across as substantially less bright than I imagined he was, though maybe he is adopting a blokey persona as a front. I too am amazed that the incompetent Dutton has been retained, I assume he fills the quota of right-wingers that Turnbull feels he has to keep.

Not sure what parts of his proposals are 'revolutionary socialism'. It's just the phenomenon I mentioned in a post a few days ago: anything less than the current faux-capitalism which benefits the few is regarded as unconscionable and a danger to humanity. It's sad that so many have been so brainwashed by the right wing media.