Do Australians Hate Britain?

[MrPresident]

After reading many threads with regard to the relationship between Britain and Australia I was surprised by the anti-British feeling among many of the Australians. I can't think what we British have done to deserve this (ignore last sentence if one of the few native Australians). I was wondering if this was a widely held belief or just the outspoken minority? Please non-Australians don't vote, unless part of another Oceania country.

 

[duke o' york]

Well if you'd care to point me in the direction of these aggressive Aussies then I'll happily bring them down to size with some healthy sarcasm and terrible puns. However, the only Aussies I am conversant with on these forums are in no way intolerant of we Brits, unless you call some good-natured ribbing a serious attack on our sovereignty. I am quite happy to admit, as Mongol Horde was forced to in amusing circumstances, that England are rubbish at cricket and rugby league and whichever the other sport is that Australia are actually good at. Swimming? We could tan their hides at football with our reserve team though, so it's not overly difficult to strike back if you feel that your country's honour has been slighted in any way. Remember: for every Geoffrey Boycott there's a Merv Hughes!

 

[Simon Darkshade]

I don't really know where you got that impression, apart from the assertions of dislike for Churchill during discussions in the World History Forum. This does not amount to a hatred of Britain, or the British people.
Of all my fellow superior Aussies on this board, I cannot for the life of me think of one who has gone out and raged on about how they hate Britain.
We prefer to think of you as our close cousins in the Northern Hemisphere who are averse to washing and fell in the wrong end of the gene pool
I like Britain, have visited before, and am going to work there in approximately 3 years (much in the manner of my cousin Count Dracula, who attempted a move to Britain in the late 19th century, but we haven't heard from him since, unfortunately), and will one day rule it as part of my evil plan to take over the world, so one has to have some regard for it.

 

[andycapp]

Not sure which threads you are referring to MrPresident. The threads discussing events during WW2 or the issue of Australia becoming a republic are discussions about historical events and current issues that do not represent (speaking for myself) an anti-British bias but are an honest discussion of the issues, based as far as possible on the facts.

The ill-will you detect on the part of some Aussies towards Churchill is based on his part in the bungled campaigns in WW1 and WW2 that cost the lives of thousands of Aussies (and others). This doesn't mean I and other Aussies fail to recognise Churchill's role in rallying the British people during the darkest days of WW2.

My impression of the way some Brits view Australians is that we are just sunburnt Brits with a funny accent living on the other side of the world waiting for a chance to return to the old country. The reality is that whilst the majority of Australia's population claim some British ancestory, a significant portion of Australia's post war (WW2) migrants are from places other than Britain.

Just as America became a melting pot for migrants from around the world so has Australia and this has affected the way Australians view themselves and Britain. Although Australians voted no in a referendum to replace the Elizabeth 2 as head of state (she is Queen of Australia as well as being queen of a number of other countries) this was not because of any great affection for the monarchy but rather disagreement about the type of republic on offer.

At this point in time, and I venture to say when we finally become a republic, Australia's relations with Britain will remain very close because of our shared history, ancestory and institutions. We speak the the same language, share a passion for similar sports (if not success ), cultural pursuits and have similar senses of humour.

Speaking personally, my Grandmother was English and I have a great interest and affection for Britain, but I'm not British, I'm Australian and see the world from an Australian point of view.

I'm not sure whether I constitute part of your "outspoken minority" or not, but I am not anti-British, nor do I believe most Aussies are, we just love to beat the Poms at sport and give them a richly deserved bollocking whenever we can.

 

[DinoDoc]

If the Ausies really and truely hated Britian, they would have become a republic long ago and rid themselves of the symbolic rule of the House of Windsor.

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
If the Ausies really and truely hated Britian, they would have become a republic long ago and rid themselves of the symbolic rule of the House of Windsor.

They will, soon enough. See "The constitutional future of Britain" thread for details.

I certainly don't think that Australians hate Britain, though. The problem is, some people automatically interpret valid criticsm for hatred.

 

[TrailblazingScot]

Coming from the descendents of a bunch of criminals and jailors...etc

You must be joking if you think there is any discord between British and Australian posters on this forum

 

[Minuteman]

Mr. President

I apologize beforehand for not offering an opinion that is precisely germane to your question.

With that having been said, I can tell that, from this American's perspective anyway, I feel a great deal of affinity for my British cousins across the Atlantic, particularly following 9/11 and the eloquent support that has been given by Tony Blair.

In addition, I would imagine that if we analyzed our respective cultures carefully ( British, American, and Aussie), we would assuredly find more that binds us together, for better or for worse, than seperates us. Concomitantly, it should be reassuring and comforting to all of us to know that no matter what the crisis, at the very least, our countries can count on one another for unconditional support.

I didn't quite intend for this post to sound so...syrupy. I guess it's just a long-winded way of asking "can't we all just get along?", to quote a not-so-great and felonious American philosopher.

P.S. I didn't vote

 

[MrPresident]

If the Ausies really and truely hated Britian, they would have become a republic long ago and rid themselves of the symbolic rule of the House of Windsor.

I am not talking about the majority of the Australia public but the minority. I am not entirely sure about the recent vote for a republic in Australia but I am sure it would have needed a majority to pass it.

our countries can count on one another for unconditional support.

I am not so sure that America would come to our aid with unconditional support, remember WWII. The reason America entered the war was Pearl Habour not the sight of Britain fighting for its life. I am not sure when Australia entered the war (would someone kindly to enlighten me) but since they were not attacking before they entered the war it was probably more to do with unconditional support.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Australia entered the Second World War on the very same day that Britain did. The reasons for America entering when it did, and not earlier, are somewhat more complex than simply Pearl Harbour.

 

[JoeM]

The most anti-British feeling in Oz seems to be around Coogee in Sydney, so contact their denizens if you like. This is largely due to the thousands of British travellers staying there who get drunk, start fights and generally trash the area....

..Or was that just me who did that?

Only kidding



I was in Australia last year for about a month, and I can't say I encountered anything like the jip that Americans get in most places.

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

The thread starter asked that this be ended, so that's that.