[dash2]

> Quiet Australians accept authority moreso than UK folk.

This is so far from my stereotype of Aussies that I feel sure it must be a troll, designed to bring out a legion of shirtless, shrimp-barbecuing cobbers, turning the air blue with their feelings about authority.

[marcus_holmes]

Dual-national UK/Aussie here (ethnically a "Pom" then).

It's definitely true. Australia loves the smack of firm government and is quietly very, very authoritarian.

There's an Aussie term "Wowsers" [0] which is fascinating, as there is no British equivalent term. It often feels like the Wowsers and the Larrikins [1] are fighting an endless battle for Australia's soul. The Wowsers always win.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wowser [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrikin

[chocmilk]

Aus's acceptance of authority:

* Lockout laws

* Jaywalking laws

* Weaker environmental protests than UK, despite Aus lagging the rest of the world on environmentalism.

* Mandatory helmet laws.

* Illegal to perform DIY electrics, e.g. change a plug.

* International travel currently banned. To leave Australia at the moment would require either exemption, or I relinquish citizenship.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Cronulla_riots was the last riot involving shirtless shrimp barbecuing cobbers. Not a proud moment.

[Nursie]

> Illegal to perform DIY electrics, e.g. change a plug.

??

As someone moving to Australia in a few months, I feel like this is something I ought to know about...

> International travel currently banned.

This is the same in many countries, including the UK right now.

[chocmilk]

"DIY (do it yourself) electrical work is dangerous and illegal." https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/electrical-safety/in-the-home#...

Arduino is fine.

> This is the same in many countries, including the UK right now.

Yes, true in UK during the past 1-2 months of national lockdown?

Aus's has been the case for 12 months.

[Nursie]

Is it only 1-2 months? Feels like an eternity...

Current lockdown started on the 4th of Jan, and the travel restrictions came in then. We also had lockdown part 2 back in November, for the whole of November, lockdown part 1 from April-June last year, and various degrees of lockdown in between with regional variations...

I've lived in Aus before, and I agree it's great for many reasons, am looking forward to being back.

On the electrical thing, I know there are some restrictions on what you can do in the UK - putting in new circuits, adding new lighting circuits etc. I've pushed the boundaries a bit here AFAICT by fixing a lighting circuit* and swapping a few single sockets for doubles. Other work like putting cat 6 in the walls I did myself without a thought. Looks like I need to take a look at the regs.

( * the light switch in our bedroom somehow flicked between "one bulb on" and "two bulbs in series", with no off setting )

(oh wow, you're right, I can't change a light fitting, or even legally change a plug from UK -> Aus without breaking the law. Will have to buy new cables where I can, maybe change one or two plugs before I leave!)

[bubblethink]

This page is tragically funny. It ends with 'You should never attempt to carry out any electrical maintenance other than changing a light globe.'

[hnick]

There was (is?) a rumour that changing light globes was technically illegal under the letter of the law in Victoria. A quick search shows this may have been a 1998 law amended in 1999. Either way, people believed it which says something.

[4cao]

>> International travel currently banned.

> This is the same in many countries, including the UK right now.

It isn't really. Many countries barred non-resident non-citizens from entering but only a couple went to the extent of attempting to prohibit their own citizens from leaving. The latter restriction is far more draconian.

[Nursie]

> only a couple went to the extent of attempting to prohibit their own citizens from leaving

OK then, but the UK is currently one of those places. Without good reason it's currently prohibited.

ANd I honestly don't have a problem with it, we're in the midst of a pandemic. :shrug:

[Nextgrid]

I have a problem with it. The definition of "pandemic warranting a lockdown" is a national one, and other countries have a different opinion on it.

By all means, protect your own country by preventing people from going in, but people should be free to leave to a different place with more relaxed rules at their own risk.

[Nursie]

The issue is people coming back from these places.

Preventing your citizens from coming back is worse.

[chocmilk]

Aus is great though, for other reasons.

[tubularhells]

Care to elaborate?

[rasz]

Beer scented water, weather, fauna in your backyard/room/shower, gun laws, the list goes on and on, whats not to like?