Aussie immigration policy

[jasonu]

Oh boy, where to start?
I'm a female, older, putty-coloured, large bike-riding, left-handed, 5'11" tall, Brit/NZer that's been domiciled in West Australia for over a decade.

I'm telling you this to give you a sporting chance ... there's got to be something in that description you love to hate?

Me, nothing gets me too riled ... except generalising, ungrammatical bigots who can't be bothered to check the facts before shooting their fool mouth off. I guess this means you

.............. but before unleashing your spite on little me, how about sharing with us your thoughts of native-born US citizens who seek to ... what's your word ... 'sponge' off honourable, self-righteous, taxpayers (like you?)?. Do tell how spongers of the domestic breed are so morally-superior to the imported variety?

The topic is about those who show up to another country, things don't go as well as hoped so a handout is expected and then proceed to grizzle when one isn't forthcoming. They knew the rules when they arrived and if they didn't then tough shit. Don't like it, go back to where you came from (where you can probably get a handout).

Yep, I quite frequently leave people speechless


their silence is accolade enough ...

Sorry I didn't reply fast enough, I was outside kicking a couple of drunk wagon burners.

[mstriumph]

The topic is about those who show up to another country, things don't go as well as hoped so a handout is expected and then proceed to grizzle when one isn't forthcoming. They knew the rules when they arrived and if they didn't then tough shit. Don't like it, go back to where you came from (where you can probably get a handout).

No, actually ... this thread is about your total misunderstanding of a NZ newspaper article covering a situation of which you have no current first-hand knowledge or understanding yet still having the arrogance and temerity to give those of us still here (who DO have that knowledge and understanding) the dubious benefit of your ill-considered, half-baked opinion.

I've only met two South Americans here so can't comment ... but there are many expat. NZs in WA; those I've met have been straightforward, self-sufficient, hard-working and self-supporting even though those that arrived here more recently cannot hope to get the same access to most benefits (were they to need them) that an itinerant Australian could claim after a set period were s/he to settle in New Zealand.

I do believe that this lack of even-handedness is the root of the problem for those people in the article - the unfairness of it rankles even to those of us who have no need or intention of accessing benefits.

Sorry I didn't reply fast enough, I was outside kicking a couple of drunk wagon burners.

No apology needed ... your silence was great but a good giggle is better; thanks for that
By the way, do you have a bike? Perhaps it's the lack of riding that's making you grumpy.

[jonbuoy]

No, actually ... this thread is about your total misunderstanding of a NZ newspaper article covering a situation of which you have no current first-hand knowledge or understanding yet still having the arrogance and temerity to give those of us still here (who DO have that knowledge and understanding) the dubious benefit of your ill-considered, half-baked opinion.

I've only met two South Americans here so can't comment ... but there are many expat. NZs in WA; those I've met have been straightforward, self-sufficient, hard-working and self-supporting even though those that arrived here more recently cannot hope to get the same access to most benefits (were they to need them) that an itinerant Australian could claim after a set period were s/he to settle in New Zealand.

I do believe that this lack of even-handedness is the root of the problem for those people in the article - the unfairness of it rankles even to those of us who have no need or intention of accessing benefits.





No apology needed ... your silence was great but a good giggle is better; thanks for that
By the way, do you have a bike? Perhaps it's the lack of riding that's making you grumpy.

That´s part of the choice of living but not being a full resident in a country. I´m in a completely grey area - I´m not entitled to any UK/NZ benefits I´ve lived out of both countries for too long despite having paid into both systems. Lots of expat brits are finding the same thing when they return to the UK. I´m not a resident in Spain either so I don´t get any benefits here. I understand that - that's why I have to pay for private health care and I know I´m on my own when it comes to retirement/sickness benefit. Were you born in the UK?

I guess Jason living in the states is in a similar situation - looking after himself. Welcome to how the rest of the world lives - no nice cuddly warm unsustainable western benefit safety blanket. Work out how much tax you pay and how much you get - education, health, unemployment retirement law and order - the western governments aren't making as much out of you as you think they are.

[Ocean1]

Welcome to how the rest of the world lives

Yeah, that's it in a nutshell, and nobody forced them to move there.

But the rest of the world lives by another general truism: The big entities dominate the little ones. Whether you're talking about comparing reciprocal social welfare entitlements or market access the big countries grab every advantage their size enables them to, and that's not a pittance.

Which ain't fair. I reckon the overall effect is responsible for a majority of the difference in standards of living between the US and Australia, Aussie and here, etc. Far more so than the comparatively slight differences in governance methodology might explain. And there's no obvious fix in sight, except to note that lowered pressure on any entity reduces it's performance.

So it may be that all we have to do is work a tad harder than your average American or Aussie to gain the same benefits. How hard can that be?