Ask an Aussie

[Mark Young]

I'm an Australian too, so ask me as well.....

If your an Aussie just get in there and have a go.

 

[Abaddon]

Whats with all the sheep and beer? Is just the use of double ee words easier to pronounce in OZ language? I better go ride mah jeep over the creek etc

 

[Bast]

Whats with all the sheep and beer? Is just the use of double ee words easier to pronounce in OZ language? I better go ride mah jeep over the creek etc

A contestant in the last Australian Idol would've driven you insane. LOL

To be honest, I don't know what you mean there.

 

[Ingvina Freyr]

How about Bob Macpherson, sheep farmer, instead?

Hmm, let me think about it...

Spoiler :

Nah, I think I'll stick to Elle!

So, what do you think about West Australia, do you ever go there? If so, how is it like compared to other parts of the land?

Are there a lot of problems with poisonous animals in certain areas?

Do many young people leave for Europe to work after graduation, as I believe is the case with New Zealanders?

 

[sysyphus]

Australians seem to me to be very keen on showing themselves as distinct as possible from the UK. Why do you still have the Union Jack on your flag?

Also, the 3 microsecond response of "they shag sheep" every Aussie gives at the mention of New Zealand, are you trained to do that or is it genetic?

 

[Tee Kay]

So, what do you think about West Australia, do you ever go there? If so, how is it like compared to other parts of the land?

I don't know what to think of Western Australia. I've never been there. I have a friend from WA but all he talks about is how good West Coast is so I can't really make up my mind.

Is there a lot of problems with poisonous animals in certain areas?

Don't believe the fairytale. Australians have as much trouble with poisonous animals as much as Siberians worrying about Dengue Fever.

Do many young people leave for Europe to work after graduation, as I believe is the case with New Zealanders?

Not to my knowledge. A few leaves for Asia and a few for America but that's about it, I think. Most stayed at home and get skin cancer.

Edit: I just realised that this probably does constitutes to threadjacking. Is it against forum rules?

 

[Tee Kay]

Australians seem to me to be very keen on showing themselves as distinct as possible from the UK. Why do you still have the Union Jack on your flag?

Probably because we couldn't find a suitable replacement.

Also, the 3 microsecond response of "they shag sheep" every Aussie gives at the mention of New Zealand, are you trained to do that or is it genetic?

It's probably evolutionary.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Do Australians actually hate the show Neighbours?

 

[Margim]

So, what do you think about West Australia, do you ever go there? If so, how is it like compared to other parts of the land?

Been there a couple of times. North Western Australia (the Kimberly) is one of the most beautiful places in Australia, and probably the world. Awesome gorges, plateaus, bushland, and rock formations.

South western Australia, depending on where you are, is full of tall timber milling country. In the middle, its the 'outback'... a lot of red dust, scrubland, and desert.

Are there a lot of problems with poisonous animals in certain areas?

Well, I think we've got most of the 10 most poisonous snakes in the world. That said, you just keep an eye out when you are walking through long grasses in hot weather, and you are okay. Although snakes could be anywhere, generally, the dangerous stuff is up north... box jellyfish, crocodiles, etc... although lots of nasty spiders all over the place Really only ever seen snakes out in the bush, so not much to worry about there,

Do many young people leave for Europe to work after graduation, as I believe is the case with New Zealanders?

A lot of young adults might try the working holiday, or take a couple of months for a trip, but usually end up somewhere in Aus. There are a few more options here than NZ.

 

[Margim]

Do Australians actually hate the show Neighbours?

This one does.

 

[Mark Young]

Australians seem to me to be very keen on showing themselves as distinct as possible from the UK. Why do you still have the Union Jack on your flag?

Good question. Whilst we have governed most of our own affairs since Federation (Jan 1st 1901), we still have very close ties with England, most notalby the position of the Governor General reflects this.
Until we become a republic it is likely that we will keep the Union Jack in the flag.

Also, the 3 microsecond response of "they shag sheep" every Aussie gives at the mention of New Zealand, are you trained to do that or is it genetic?

It's a natural reaction.

 

[Bast]

Do Australians actually hate the show Neighbours?

I used to be addicted when I was younger but now I don't have time for it anymore. I don't hate it, I just don't watch it.

 

[Tee Kay]

Do Australians actually hate the show Neighbours?

I can't stand Neighbours.

 

[Bast]

What do you think about your flag? Did you hire the same bureau to design it as the Kiwis did?

In highschool we had a competition to come up with a new flag and reasons why we should adopt it or keep the same one. I came up with a new one but it wasn't very popular. Most of us wants to keep the same one.

Wich team is your favorite to beat in the Rugby World Cup, and if you have to lose to another team, wich hurts the least?

I think NZ is the favourite to beat. I wouldn't mind if we lose to France but that's just me. I know others won't share that opinion.

Do you have the phone number to Elle MacPherson?

I didn't think Elle was still that popular.

 

[sysyphus]

Good question. Whilst we have governed most of our own affairs since Federation (Jan 1st 1901), we still have very close ties with England, most notalby the position of the Governor General reflects this.
Until we become a republic it is likely that we will keep the Union Jack in the flag.

We are in the same situation here, but we still made the change. In fact, I'd say there's less passion here for a republic than there is there. That's why I'm kind of surprised Aus hasn't made the change.

Also, do you think there'll be another referendum on a republic soon, or is it likely you'll have to wait until Labour is back in power?

 

[sanabas]

My question: Is there anyone in oz who actually drinks Foster's?

As to other questions: Neighbours is rubbish, but apparently it still rates well.

If we have to lose the world cup, I'd like to see Tonga or Ireland get up. Realistically, the Kiwis are the main opposition, although their bright idea of holding their playes out of the super 14 could backfire on them. It might also allow Queensland to make the finals for a change, although I see the Brumbies winning again.

We still have the union jack on our flag partly because our current govt is very big on us not being a republic, despite finding it difficult to decide sometimes whether they'd rather make us the US's or the UK's patsy. When we did have a referendum on being a republic, the question was intentionally badly worded, in order to generate as high a 'no' vote as possible. I can't see any action happening, or more talk happening about being a republic until we have a change of govt. The union jack has no place on our flag, but that won't change anytime soon either, not until after there's more talk about becoming a republic.

We don't have stupid slang.

Poisonous animals aren't that big an issue, unless you go into their habitat more. Most bites are a result of stupidity on the part of the people bitten. Snakes & spiders are certainly not a major problem anywhere, it's just a case of being wary of them. The only poisonous animal that is a major problem is the box jellyfish, which has caused plenty of beaches to be temporarily closed. Cane toads are also still a problem, though not by causing serious harm to people. Drop bears are a problem occasionally, though they aren't venomous. Need to treat them in a similar way to snakes.

I know plenty of people that have gone to europe for 6-24 months, for work/working holiday, often just after finishing school, before starting uni. Seems like the UK is the #1 destination for work, don't know if thats because it's easier to get a working visa there compared to other countries, or what.

 

[Bad Player]

We are in the same situation here, but we still made the change. In fact, I'd say there's less passion here for a republic than there is there. That's why I'm kind of surprised Aus hasn't made the change.

Also, do you think there'll be another referendum on a republic soon, or is it likely you'll have to wait until Labour is back in power?
__________________

Our Prime Minister is a monarchist and IIRC he has indicated that he won't be putting up another referendum on the issue. I'm not sure if his likely successor Peter Costello is a republican though... I think Alexander Downer (probably a bit of a long shot as next in line after Howard) is a monarchist. All the Labor party is republican though.


The reason for the lack of change is mainly because of the way the referendum was run such that you chose between a model for a republic or retaining the status quo. Therefore people who opposed that particular model helped boost the monarchist (status quo) numbers.



@Sanabas: I think there are valid reasons for asking people to choose between a particular model and the status quo because some people oppose a particular model such that they would rather retain the status quo rather than have a republic with a model they despise. Having said that it did ruin the ideal of democracy in the referendum because of this issue which is poor form.

 

[sanabas]

We are in the same situation here, but we still made the change. In fact, I'd say there's less passion here for a republic than there is there. That's why I'm kind of surprised Aus hasn't made the change.

Also, do you think there'll be another referendum on a republic soon, or is it likely you'll have to wait until Labour is back in power?

It's Labor, not Labour. I know a few members of that party who get really picky about it. As long as Howard is pm, there'll be very little officially done about us becoming a republic.

*edit*Thought of another question. What do other aussies think of the new citizenship laws?*/edit*

 

[Mark Young]

*edit*Thought of another question. What do other aussies think of the new citizenship laws?*/edit*

You mean these ones?

What are the proposed residence requirements for Australian citizenship?
The proposed residence requirements for Australian citizenship will mean that applicants will need:

four years lawful residence in Australia immediately prior to making an application for Australian citizenship with at least 12 months as a permanent resident, and

absences from Australia of no more than 12 months in total in the four years prior to application, and no more than three months in the 12 month permanent residency period prior to application.

Sourced from http://www.citizenship.gov.au/...

They don't appear unreasonable. It should stop some people abusing the system but as with all laws it may hamper legitimate claims as well.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

I think they are good step in the right direction.

*giggles about the phrase describing Labor being back in power*

No one I know drinks Fosters, nor is it available in most pubs. Certainly nothing out my way.

Question: Who dislikes Collingwood?