Questions About Australia

[EMalmgren]

Since I'm new around here and, of course, American...I thought that I would ask a few questions to become acquainted with your country.

For the record, I'm not really interested in political debate. Discussion is one thing, but this is a brewing forum so I wont get into a left v. right debate with anyone (this typically happens on "American" forums BTW)

I've seen a few comments about your healthcare system. Is everything really free? I could walk into a hospital right now with a gash in my head, get it stapled/stitched and walk out not having to worry about a bill? Does this include dental/vision and everything else?

What is your federal tax rate?

Is Rugby pretty much Austraila's version of baseball or what?

Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also?

Is it awesome having Christmas in summer?

What has happened with the Australian aboriginee (I butchered that spelling I'm sure). Do they live on reservations like many Native American tribes do?

Do you guys watch American movies at the theater? Australian? Both?

What is the general perception of America and Americans in your country? What is YOUR perception?

 

[dmac80]

Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also?

Indeed.

 

[Liam_snorkel]

http://youtu.be/o1DRTnP0gY8

 

[Lecterfan]

For the record, I'm not really interested in political debate. Discussion is one thing, but this is a brewing forum so I wont get into a left v. right debate with anyone (this typically happens on "American" forums BTW)

Don't worry, you won't need to get into the debate, others will do it for you.
Oh, it probably won't really be a debate either.


I will leave the specific responses for those who can offer a more knowledgeable perspective (or are willing to provide an opinion).

And before everyone rips me to shreds I am not talking about the pragmatic reality of our circumstances, I am talking about the theoretical underpinnings - as with all things theoretical, when put into practice they can be manipulated, exploited etc.

The main thing I'd say - and this is only my opinion based on the mini thesis I am doing at the moment - that at the moment the main political differences (from a macroscopic philosophical perspective) stem from the fact that you guys have largely founded yourselves on the libertarian side of a libertarian democracy (just need to build yourselves The Statue of Responsibility to go next to the first big gal), whereas Australia is still technically part of the Commonwealth and thus our democratic principles tend to take precedence (in theory - this theory is increasingly in a state of tension due to our economic system).

In a nutshell our emphasis is on a supposed equality of access and equality of rights across the board rather than unimpeded personal rights, or the rights of the individual not to be overly regulated by their governing body. This leads to a larger emphasis on "universal rights whether you want them or not" such as access to a certain amount of free education, a certain amount of free healthcare and a certain amount of "free" welfare. This is in contrast to the libertarian notion that you can have "universals if you deserve/are able to access them" - such as unemployment benefits if you have accrued them, healthcare if you can afford it... While both theories presuppose a political equality of all members, the libertarian theory assumes that everyone is equally able to utilise their political equality effectively and can therefore exercise their own personal autonomy to lead the good life. However, democratic principles require that political equality must be assumed, but that a governing body - or a governing discourse at least - needs to effectively regulate that equality.

Both theories are completely valid; a paradox exists between them that often results in a productive tension, but can also be readily preyed upon by unethical bodies to futher enhance their self-interests (hiding behind the notion of political equality - oops is my bias showing?).

Still, non-ideal methodologies are the future, but that is for 15,000 words elsewhere.

Have Australia got it right? No. Have America? No. Will anyone ever? ...I wouldn't purport to address that question here.

Welcome to AHB!

Use the recipe database, it's awesome!!! I recommend Argon's Little Fellas Pale Ale, Markbastard's Amber Ale, and Tony's Bright Ale. There are many, many ubiquitous others but these have been outstanding performers for me.

Also, from listening to the Brewing Network and what they had to say about Coopers Sparkling Ale and Pale Ale in the bottle over there as compared to here - don't judge it until you've had it on tap here!

Beer! :icon_chickcheers:

 

[roo_dr]

What has happened with the Australian aboriginee (I butchered that spelling I'm sure). Do they live on reservations like many Native American tribes do?

I feel rather uneasy about your use of the word "butchered" in such close proximity to the word "Aborigine" (sp).

 

[yum beer]

I've seen a few comments about your healthcare system. Is everything really free? I could walk into a hospital right now with a gash in my head, get it stapled/stitched and walk out not having to worry about a bill? Does this include dental/vision and everything else?


Is it awesome having Christmas in summer?


What is the general perception of America and Americans in your country? What is YOUR perception?

Hey EMalmgren, yes our healthcare system is 'free', at least for the most part..eg..last year I went to hospital with chest pain, spent 3 days in my local hospital,( Im in a small town of 10,000 people), transfered to a larger regional hospital where I underwent further tests, then got flown to Sydney(500km---about 320miles) for a triple by-pass, 5 more days in hospital.......Did not cost me a cent.
From what I understand of the American health system I would probably be dead now because I couldnt afford the surgery.

Yes Xmas in summer is fantastic.....you cant play cricket in the snow.

and unforunately the general perception of Americans is that they are an ignorant bunch of fat bastards to eager to take everyone elses stuff..
but I know that all you Yankees arent like that......not all Aussies wear crocodile skin jackets and carry huge bowie knives around.

Anyway mate, all the best to ya' and good brewing. :icon_chickcheers:

 

[Tim F]

1. I've seen a few comments about your healthcare system. Is everything really free? I could walk into a hospital right now with a gash in my head, get it stapled/stitched and walk out not having to worry about a bill? Does this include dental/vision and everything else?

2. What is your federal tax rate?

3. Is Rugby pretty much Austraila's version of baseball or what?

4. Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also?

5. Is it awesome having Christmas in summer?

6. What has happened with the Australian aboriginee (I butchered that spelling I'm sure). Do they live on reservations like many Native American tribes do?

7. Do you guys watch American movies at the theater? Australian? Both?

8.What is the general perception of America and Americans in your country? What is YOUR perception?

Let me have a crack
1. Health care is pretty much free for anything you need. Public hospitals will give you emergency treatment for free - Drs can give free treatment but some charge too. Our Medicare system works by subsidising most treatments up to a certain 'normal' rate but doctors are free to charge more if they want, then you'd pay the difference. In practice some doctors just charge the exact amount that Medicare will subsidise so it's effectively free. You can get subsidised vision tests but have to pay for eyewear and generally you have to pay for dental (someone might correct me a bit on those as I only know what I've used myself).
2. The tax rate varies based on your income - so you might pay nothing on the first 6000 you earn, then 15% on the next 29000 you earn and then 30c on the next 30000 up to the maximum rate of 45% if you earn over 180k.

3. Aussie rules football is one of the biggest sports - there is rugby too and that is the bigger sport in a few states, everywhere else its AFL though.
4. Yes but here it's 'asshole'
5. Totally!
6. Bit complex to explain and its easy to get accused of being racist, some have land set aside, many are just a normal part of mainstream society, some seem to live a bit of a nomadic life in and around cities (in mine at least). There are a fair few problems with issues around indigenous health, lifespan etc compared to non indigenous australians.
7. Both with American movies tending to be far more popular and common
8. MY perception of the Americans I know, mostly online, is that they are very friendly but there's a lot more of a consumer culture than here. Consumer might not be quite the right term... Eg if I look up an american recipe it has all these packaged ingredients that we would never use. You seem to have much bigger sweet teeth than us And there seems to be way more, and stronger religion than here which is a little strange to a non religious person. From what I see on the media which might be completely wrong there are some pretty out there churches and religious groups that would never really fly here. Keep in mind thats just my perceptions!

 

[EMalmgren]

I feel rather uneasy about your use of the word "butchered" in such close proximity to the word "Aborigine" (sp).

My apologies. I meant no offense.

 

[np1962]

Since I'm new around here and, of course, American...I thought that I would ask a few questions to become acquainted with your country.

For the record, I'm not really interested in political debate. Discussion is one thing, but this is a brewing forum so I wont get into a left v. right debate with anyone (this typically happens on "American" forums BTW)Most Aussies don't know the difference anyway :blink:

I've seen a few comments about your healthcare system. Is everything really free? I could walk into a hospital right now with a gash in my head, get it stapled/stitched and walk out not having to worry about a bill? Does this include dental/vision and everything else? Basically, Yes, if you walk into a Government hospital and wait your turn then treatment is free, the wait may take a while though. Surgery for non life threatening conditions also requires a long waiting time. You can speed up the proces by paying a gap fee, over and above what the government says a particular service is worth, and going to a private hospital. Not easily done but possible.
Vision and dental are not included in free cover for the most part.
All tax payers pay a levy for this care.

What is your federal tax rate?
There are sliding tax rates depending on earnings, around $6000 is tax free then above that you pay a percentage depending on how much above the threshhold you are.

Is Rugby pretty much Austraila's version of baseball or what?
Australian football in the South and Rugby League and Union in the East are like NFL, Cricket is our Baseball in the Summer

Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also?
All except South Sydney supporters

Is it awesome having Christmas in summer?
Yes, but I have also enjoyed a northern christmas

What has happened with the Australian aboriginee (I butchered that spelling I'm sure). Do they live on reservations like many Native American tribes do?
Most live in the cities and towns, there are Aboriginals that live tribal groups in some areas. I am personally grateful to live on Kaurna Lands.

Do you guys watch American movies at the theater? Australian? Both?
Both plus many others

What is the general perception of America and Americans in your country? What is YOUR perception?

No Comment :lol:

Cheers
Nige

 

[DU99]

there's two types of rugby..league and union,also most americian's i have worked with are very nice people

 

[Mayor of Mildura]

Since I'm new around here and, of course, American...I thought that I would ask a few questions to become acquainted with your country.

For the record, I'm not really interested in political debate. Discussion is one thing, but this is a brewing forum so I wont get into a left v. right debate with anyone (this typically happens on "American" forums BTW)

I've seen a few comments about your healthcare system. Is everything really free? I could walk into a hospital right now with a gash in my head, get it stapled/stitched and walk out not having to worry about a bill? Does this include dental/vision and everything else? Some stuff is free. Emergency hospital is free for eveyone. Other non urgent hospital is free if you want to wait. Most GP's are free. Other services are free for some people (low income, indigenous etc). The rest of us have have insurance as it gives you access to private specialist care.

What is your federal tax rate? don't know.

Is Rugby pretty much Austraila's version of baseball or what? No. I'd say that cricket would be the rough equivalent. Played in summer with bat and ball. Also there are two types of rugby. The one that is awesome is Rubgy League. This other is rugby union that nobody really likes unless you are a stuck up private school toff. In the south of Australia they play this funny games called Aussie rules... people from down that way are weird though.

Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also? I'm not sure what an asshat is. russell crowe is a kiwi not an aussie.

Is it awesome having Christmas in summer? yes. most awesome.

What has happened with the Australian aboriginee (I butchered that spelling I'm sure). Do they live on reservations like many Native American tribes do? Some do. Most just live in suburbia like every one else.

Do you guys watch American movies at the theater? Australian? Both? yes both.

What is the general perception of America and Americans in your country? What is YOUR perception? Basically Load, arrogant, ignorant and obnoxious. I'm sure that there are a couple of decent ones though.

 

[roo_dr]

My apologies. I meant no offense.

None taken, it's an easy word to misspell. :icon_cheers:

 

[EMalmgren]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Interesting stuff.

Tim, I think you've hit the nail on the head (or came damn close) about religion here in America. Not too far south of me, tornadoes tore up a handful of towns on Sunday, and hundreds of people died. One of the more notorious churches here in the States, The Westboro Baptist Church, is planning on protesting at their funerals. They're deal is that "God is punishing America for allowing homosexuality (and other "deviant" behaviour). The good news is that this church is VERY small (a few dozen members) and that most of Americans think they need to pretty much disappear. However, our First Amendment prevents a whole lot of legal action being taken. These "Good Chrisitians" have also protested the funerals of our military deaths

Spot on in regards to our "consumer-ism". It really is out of hand. Something that I've been working on for awhile and is a pleasent side effect of homebrewing.

 

[pimpsqueak]

"Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also? I'm not sure what an asshat is. russell crowe is a kiwi not an aussie. "

Don't believe a word of it. If he were a Kiwi, he'd own the Warriors, not the bloody Rabbitohs.

 

[EMalmgren]

None taken, it's an easy word to misspell. :icon_cheers:

LMAO.

 

[Liam_snorkel]

there's two types of rugby..league and union

to add to this -
Rugby League: bastards playing a gentleman's game,
Rugby Union: gentlemen playing a *******'s game.

 

[outbreak]

I've seen a few comments about your healthcare system. Is everything really free? I could walk into a hospital right now with a gash in my head, get it stapled/stitched and walk out not having to worry about a bill? Does this include dental/vision and everything else?

It is free, its just how long you want to wait for things! Waiting lists are massive, but if its an emergency you get taken care of.

What is your federal tax rate?

Our income tax rates are...

AUD$ 1 - 6,000 Nil
AUD$ 6,001 - 37,000 15c for each AUD$ 1 over 6,000
AUD$ 37,001 - 80,000 AUD$ 4,650 plus 30c for each AUD$ 1 over AUD$ 37,000
AUD$ 80,001 - 180,000 AUD$ 17,550 plus 37c for each AUD$ 1 over AUD$ 80,000
AUD$ 180,001 and over AUD$ 54,550 plus 45c for each AUD$ 1 over AUD$ 180,000

Is Rugby pretty much Austraila's version of baseball or what?

Cricket would be the closest to baseball. Australian Rules Football (AFL) would be the most popular games depending where you live...

Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also?

95% of the population does

Is it awesome having Christmas in summer?

Yes. Most people have seafood etc.. for lunch and a ready supply of beer.

What has happened with the Australian aboriginee (I butchered that spelling I'm sure). Do they live on reservations like many Native American tribes do?

[flamesuit]
We came in 1770 and took over their land. Lots of Aboriginal People were treated terribly, killed. They weren't allowed to vote, andwerent counted as people they came under the Flora and Fauna act. After years of being treated terribly they were given the vote and the right to drink alcohol which then introduced a whole host of more problems. At the moment there is a huge problem with Aboriginal alcohol abuse, domestic violence etc.... Aboriginial people living in the North West of Australia live in 3rd world conditions. Its quite a touchy subject and I will leave it at that, someone else will most likely comment on it.
[/flamesuit]

Do you guys watch American movies at the theater? Australian? Both?

Mostly American actually, but Australian film has had a few golden periods and I think we are going through another one at the moment. If you want a small insight into the Aboriginal People's life in modern Australian try and get a hold of a movie called "Mad Bastards".

What is the general perception of America and Americans in your country? What is YOUR perception?

I think a lot of people see americans as arrogant, but thats just an ill informed generalisation. My perception is that America is to consumeristic and that Australia is following suite. However, you guys make some great beers and some great films so who am I to judge!

 

[joshuahardie]

Welcome to Australia, I hope you enjoy it here.
Get to know the value of mateship and the fine art of sarcasm, and you will be fine :icon_cheers:


If you have a Medicare card general hospital is free. My son had to spend 70 days in hospital after he was born, the cost of which would of been tens of thousands of dollars if not more. When he was better, there was no bill, but a party from the nurses wishing us well.
I guess this is what our taxes fund.
America is referred to as the Land of Opportunity
We call ourselves the Lucky Country.

Think of cricket as Australia's version of Baseball. You may not understand the game, but do go to one to immerse yourself in the crowd. It can be a great experience

American movies are far more prolific in cinema than Australian made films. But do watch 'The Castle' it is the soul of Australia and Australians wrapped into 90 minutes.

Russel Crowe is an idiot

It is always foolish to generalise people, so I answer this cautiously. I have met many Americans in my time and loved the majority of them. However I have met a few whom have beat the drum along the lines of 'Everything is bigger and better here, why would I want to see the world', and have had a 'I am right therefore you must be wrong' mentality about the world Safe to say i didn't click with those people

Also safe to say, that if you are asking these questions, you are in the former group of people and not the latter.

Hope you like our end of the world.
Josh

 

[fawnroux]

Since I'm new around here and, of course, American...I thought that I would ask a few questions to become acquainted with your country.

For the record, I'm not really interested in political debate. Discussion is one thing, but this is a brewing forum so I wont get into a left v. right debate with anyone (this typically happens on "American" forums BTW)

I've seen a few comments about your healthcare system. Is everything really free? I could walk into a hospital right now with a gash in my head, get it stapled/stitched and walk out not having to worry about a bill? Does this include dental/vision and everything else?
Nothings free. We pay high taxes for our "free healthcare". But in answer to your question, yes, you would go to the ER with the gash, show your Medicare card and not pay. This does not include dental or vision.

What is your federal tax rate?
Which one? Too many to quote. More than you pay in the States. Think Canadian style taxes. But even more

Is Rugby pretty much Austraila's version of baseball or what?
Cricket is Australias version of baseball. Rugby is the football code played in two main states. The rest of the country plays Australian Rules football :super:

Does anyone else think that Russell Crowe is an asshat also?
Yes. Yes they do. He's a kiwi though, so...

Is it awesome having Christmas in summer?
I think so. You sit outside in the sun, drinking beer and eating food. The kids play out on the street with new toys etc. It's a good day. I've had white Christmas' too, and they are pretty special. It' what you know I guess

What has happened with the Australian aboriginee (I butchered that spelling I'm sure). Do they live on reservations like many Native American tribes do?
Well, let's just say they haven't been treated any better.

Do you guys watch American movies at the theater? Australian? Both?
All the big US movies come over here. Much more US movies than Australian ones.

What is the general perception of America and Americans in your country? What is YOUR perception?
This is an interesting ones. Americans in this country, are generally (not always) tourists. Tourists with enough money to travel to Australia. The general perception is they are loud and obnoxious (which a lot of the time time are). However, this is a small percentage. People who have traveled to the States, and spent time there (like myself) generally really like Americans. I find them very friendly, welcoming and generally good people. Very curious about Aussies, much like yourself. My accent used to get me alot of attention from people in bars (I wasn't single, DAMN!) Extremely polite too. I couldn't believe when I first got to the States at how damn polite everyone was. Even in the big cities. Aussies have a lot to learn.

A lot of Americans seem to have very little knowledge of the outside world. Which is a constant source of amusement and frustration for the rest of the world.

The actions of your government around the world doesn't win you any fans. Though, most people are smart enough to realise the government is not the 300 million people living there.

For me, I really like the States and the people there. Its a interesting places with great people. Every state and city is different, sometimes it feels like a different country crossing state lines.

Plus the beer is CHEAP! My kinda place :icon_cheers:

 

[EMalmgren]

I could of sworn Russel Crowe was Australian. Learn something new every day I suppose.

What about Australias gun laws? (Yes, I'm aware that I'm probably fitting the American Stereotype by asking this)


BTW, Asshat = asshole, *********, someone who needs slapped...you get the idea.