THINKING OF EMIGRATING TO AUSTRALIA?
Well, sorry to share this news, but we do not have a corner on all of the problems. (Yes, we may be in the lead, but others are with us…..)
Australia’s economic divide is strikingly similar. Economic growth in the cities has been at close to 4%, while most of the rest of the country is a zero or negative growth over the past 4-5 years. This is, of course, creating the similar situation as we have in the US. Lots of unhappy people with most of the urban population not really even fully aware of the problem.
The government seems dysfunctional, although not nearly to the same degree. The big challenge the past week was passing the final two bills so they could go on holiday. (Sound familiar?) So, what momentous legislation did they pass? An anti-union construction bill and a backpacker tax. (More on that later.) And, to make it really tough on us outsiders, even the party names make no sense. The Liberal party is actually the conservative one. Maybe a name change would be in order? Labor is the more typical liberal party.
And, if you have school age kids to take with you on your move, you really should take stock of the news of November 29th. The latest test results are in and Aussie kids rank BELOW Kazakhstan kids in reading and math. BELOW.
So, as you contemplate the new America, our mess is not just our mess. Others seem intent upon joining us. But, like us in general, the people here are very nice and friendly and welcoming to all guests.