Australia's National Identity

"The debate about Australia's national identity is raging intensely, encompassing its history and foreign policy. But will it ever be solved, asks historian David Cannadine."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4471284.stm

Australia Week in Review

I scanned the headlines of the Australian newspapers and TV this week. Probably the biggest political story of the week was the report that Australian Tresaurer Peter Costello told journalists in 2005 that Prime Minister John Howard could not win the next election. The two have a had a difficult relationship in the past, mostly having to due with the leadership of the Liberal (Conservative) Party.

Right-wing activist and former MP Pauline Hansen is running for Parliament again. Her main campaign issue will be limiting Muslim immigration into Australia. According to The Australian, Hansen said, "I think we need to look at getting out of the 1951 convention of refugees, and not being forced into taking refugees in this country that bring diseases who are incompatible with our lifestyle."

I watched the 7:30 ABC news report on Wednesday. Just like in the U.S., Australian foreclosure rates have risen recently. In fact, since 1990, Australian household debt has risen at three times the rate of American household debt.

It's been a bad winter for getting the flu this year in Australia. At least six children and one adult have died from the virus so far.

Flickr Account

I created a Flickr account for the group. I sent the group instructions on how to get into our account. If you want to look at our pictures and leave comments, you can access the photos here. Our group name is australiagse.

Rotary Four-Way Test

I learned it just in time for for the Munster Rotary Club meeting tomorrow. Jim will be in attendance, so I'm looking forward to seeing him and giving a short speech about GSE.

I'm posting it here just so we have it on the blog in case we need it.

Of the things we think, say, or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR for all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

New Media Outlet Links

As the trip gets closer, I know I need to start reading more Australian newspapers. I added some links on the right hand side of the blog. If you are interested in the slants of the newspapers, Worldpress.org has a listing for Australian newspapers here. I also posted the question on LibraryThing.org. You can read what Australians think about their newspapers here.

Also, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation is the public broadcasting station in Australia.

I will try to skim these papers daily to give everyone a summary of what we should know about the current climate of everything Australian.

Australians Paying Down Mortgages Faster?

My boyfriend just bought a house, so of course we have been reading lots of how-to books, decorating magazines, and personal finance articles. This article from CNN Money explains how most Australian mortgages work. Instead of a fixed-interest rate mortgage, Australians receive a variable-rate home equity line of credit. Interesting article if you are thinking about buying a house or paying down your mortgage.

Australian Health Care

I firmly believe that the lack of universal health care is the most important domestic problem in the United States today. Seeing the Michael Moore film Sicko has only confirmed my belief. National Public Radio's Fresh Air program discusses the American health care model here. Jonathan Oberlander of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill suggests that the Australian health care model, which includes both public and private insurance but where universal coverage exists, would be the most promising for the United States.