Nice to see stories coming out of Australia being posted here ... its been over two years since I arrived and although Aussies feel as if they participated in the GFC, it really has been very prosperous.

Australia did actually have a real recovery and since the crisis, things improved, and have for the last 6 months especially, been eroding. When I arrived it was easy to find 5%+ term deposits, now closer to 2.5-3%. The Aussie dollar had been quite strong ... as high as 1.1 US and now around .92. This is welcome although about to become inflationary on imports (and a lot is), it is great for the mining exports ... coal is king in the state of Queensland (where we landed) but also Iron ore is vital to the economy.

Politics are very strange and they do have a healthy mandatory voting for citizens (we still do not qualify for that status) with possible fines for failing to vote. The sitting party had many leadership challenges and PM Rudd was deposed within his own party by Julia Gillard who after being relected in last election became unpopular and was replaced by who else but Kevin Rudd.

The green party played a key ally to the labour party who otherwise would not control power but the coalition, which is composed of Liberals and Liberal nationals and country Liberals are set to win the next election ... they will slow down spending and be less labour friendly). These three are centre right parties ... quite a different place.

Of course does anyone really care when winter daytime lows rarely get below 20c, minimum wage without benefits for an adult worker exceeds $20 per hour. Unemployment rate is an honest 5.5-6%, beer is available at drive throughs (but there are vigilant ride programs and speeding lasers). A strong beer is 5%, and they have mid strength at 3.5% or actually decent tasting light beer at 2.5%.

Add in a next door neighbour who loves to fish and is dropping off amazing fresh fish a couple times a week (ok I ship over some homemade pizzas) and life is good.

later all

orgy