[cbsmith]

"Also, contrary to the article, IME while Australia is frequently taken early on, its also a major balancing feedback trigger."

It turns out that in any decent game with decent opponents, players learn what works and adapt. ;-)

At least in my meta, the main reason why Australia tends to get left alone once consolidated is that defending it is comparatively easy that anyone who tries to take it out without first consolidating an overwhelming advantage will be so crippled by the effort that they'll invariably lose the game. So Australia devolves to being this game of "chicken" between the other players.