Kevin Rudd, resplendent in his All Blacks tie, looking a bit like he’s come straight from the set of a Tarantino movie.
John Key’s enjoyed his trip to Aus hasn’t he? It’s been very productive by the sounds of it.
I tell you what John: you can get rid of the border controls, have a single currency, a single market, and we’ll even buy your friggin’ apples.
But in return, we get your rugby team. Maybe one or two of the Wallabies might get a guernsey for the AUS/NZ team (the All Golds?), but we’ll just merge the squads and pick from the best, okay?
And we also get Dan Vettori and Jesse Ryder. We’d also take Jacob Oram but we already have one injury-prone over-rated all-rounder.
Done deal.
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French Sydneysider said
K-Rudd looking very chic with his All Blacks tie.. wonder what John Key would have had to do if he had lost the bet???
Dan could have been Australia’s saviour in the Ashes.. but let’s not dwell on that loss… Would be nice to get McCullum too.
fushnchupsblog said
The word is JK had to jump into Sydney harbour wearing nothing but wallaby-skin togs. Thankfully we were spared the sight.
Megan said
You know, Admin. I might get a lot of curses on my head for saying this, but it seems to me that New Zealand is already unofficially managed by Australia. Just think about it: 90% of the banks in NZ are Australian-owned.
There’s virtually no competition from foreign companies, and the ones that exist are again 90% Australian-owned. Okay, some may be given partly under NZ rule, nevertheless the point remains.
Now, I do believe it’s high time for the two countries to “join” so to speak, officially this time. I reckon it will be better for both. One currency, no need to convert. Less scrutiny among customs and border control, as you said.
It will only be of benefit to both NZ and AUS as NZ’s economy is still hanging by a mere thread. What is your opinion on this?
fushnchupsblog said
Megan,
You might be interested in joining these guys: http://www.joinaustraliamovement.co.nz
Megan said
Thanks, Admin. I’m sooo flattered! :)
Squivy said
Megan we all get curses on this rather sensitive subject but IT IS time for NZ to become a State of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is all too obvious if you think with your head instead of your heart.
Invariably Kiwis move to Australia, usually for good, we take this right for granted. We are not very culturally different at all, even Indigenous issues are being taken much more seriously in Australia these days as in NZ. There are some quirks but Tasmania is arguably more quirky from a Sydney-based NSW perspective (my own). And yes what happens if Australia becomes a Republic and diverges again … ? It will happen eventually and we need to be there at the party.
One thing, if it does happen and the Australian Federal Parliament held session in Wellington for longer than a week you wouldn’t be able to get the Aussie pollies back to Canberra. Similar sized places but Wellington is way more interesting!!
Bring it on and soon I say.
Megan said
How about grabbing a cuppa sometime, Squivy :-) You seem to be taking this quite seriously, like me. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Squivy said
Well Megan my one attempt at satire was suggesting Wellington become the capital of the C of A! Not really likely but really Wellyburg is way sexier!
I guess it is not so funny for NZ to pack up shop as a Sovereign nation and become a State of our neighbour …… even if IMO it is the right thing to do!!
And sure, I’m up for a cuppa anytime with excellent company!
Megan said
Squivy I’d agree that Wgtn is way “sexier” ;) but it’s its weather I can’t put up with. Naturally, I’d prefer a city with lots of sun. Canberra is still in question, but I don’t hold too much hope.
Mark my words, the subject of NZ joining AUS would be a cross of the sacred line for people such as move2nz and proud NZers.
Henry said
G’day fellow expats,
Taking over New Zealand would be great! Australia could export Barwon, Port Phillip, Goulburn, Long Bay and numerous other Prisons!!!
Hooro,
Henry
Rob Caithness said
Megan & Squivvy, Thanks for checking out http://www.joinaustraliamovement.co.nz .I’d like to see your debate go wider. I just think the New Zealand public deserves an option outside the current cosy box of current NZ parliamentarians. NZ would be the 3rd biggest state of Australia and would definetly benefit by joining Australia. For a start we would own the banks again, and , as it is such a well known fact that we ounch abvove our weight, the next PM would obviously be from NZ, or are we too chicken to have our bluff called?
Rob Caithness – JAM party leader
Megan said
Hi Rob.
Maybe this is just our wishful thinking but I for one definitely think it’s time for both countries to join. A lot of people, however, are blinded by pride and would reject the idea in a heartbeat.
Still, one day the idea will be actualized. Just don’t ask me when :)
Megan said
In addition,
NZ would then have the same laws as Australia. And for one thing, all those lazy folks who are on welfare, draining the hard-working tax-payer’s money, will see that they must shape up or ship out.
I’m not relating to those who are disabled, injured or who have a condition which doesn’t allow them to work. It’s for those who are fit and who know it.
Squivy said
Megan I think most NZ/Aussie laws are already similar (or even the same in some cases). The Aussie GST had to be jigged to be made acceptable … but now there is GST both sides of the Tasman that could be worked out on a merger. Where there are different laws, there are even sometimes differences between states, I am sure NZ could slot in over a few years.
Referenda (say one in Australia – although not required by the constitution, and one in NZ) could easily fail, so it would be interesting to see how it could be achieved realistically if deemed to be a truly worthy idea.
There is no current debate to ascertain the merger’s worthiness as Rob points out. The reason I think is simple, Australia is not that interested in its daggy (though culturally similar … like Tasmania!! Who wants another one!!) neighbour and Kiwis can still move here anyway. Once here and sorted, NZ fades into the background or is just a holiday destination for most ex-Kiwi Aussies. Nostalgically they still support the ABs (heck I do at least), but don’t know much about contemporary NZ.
I don’t know if you could make NZ joining Australia an isssue, lets see if it happens sooner, later or never at all. I’m not making any bets anyway.
Megan said
Hi Squivy,
It’s not that I’m in a rush, but it’s just so horrendously expensive in NZ that it’s unbelievable. I’m on a 3 year contract, but I’ll be glad when I leave and go to Sydney or Perth. Unfortunately, to me NZ is nothing more than a tourism destination now.
Mind you though, I had plans to settle here. Sadly the negatives outweigh the positives. Though I’m fairly certain the ADHB will be screaming its guts out when I tell them I’ll be…leaving.
They were already unhappy with the fact that I did not take up a permanent contract. But I didn’t want to chain a bowling ball to my foot.
Yes, some of the NZ scenery may be second to none, but if you can’t afford to go out and enjoy it, or find the time if you’re working your butt off to make ends meet…then tell me, what good is it?
And honestly, the weather isn’t one to remember either. In Auckland it’s just wondering when to rain, regardless of season. In Wellington icy winds can start whistling even though it’s summer (words of a witness ;) ).
The South Island is dry, but cold persists even when it should be summer. I only found Nelson to my liking, because of its sunny days, even though it was chilly.
If you’re retiring, then moving to NZ is your best option. Unless, of course, both countries unite (officially).
Squivy said
Megan, I had considered moving or retiring to NZ but it doesn’t add up for us … so yep NZ has become a tourist destination for me too. That’s me, however my kids love it on holidays too ….. but they love any holiday.
As for migrants leaving NZ (and returning home), …. isn’t it the norm that NZ fails to satisfy longterm expectations … and yes you work hard to have holidays in fickle weather? So all fair cops really.
Our intended escape from Sydney is now probably somewhere in Noosa to Bundaberg area in Queensland where we should buy a rural property soon (Hervey Bay doing very well at present!).
In reality if NZ joined Australia right now we probably wouldn’t care (one way or the other) as anyone else here. But heck bring it on and see what happens.
john said
Australia spends 20B per annum on asylum seekers but balks at a cost of 2B helping kiwis if unemployed, even tho they contribute 6b pa oz economy. Why does the Rudd govt like Howard discriminate against Kiwis?. Is it reasonable that a person living in OZ for several years owning property, bringing up their children and paying the same tax as anyone else, is not assisted if in need?.
Terrorists sem to get better treatment here. Immigration state that the policy is in part to help NZ from not emptying out!?. Citzinship office recognises the problem and says they are working on it. When I ask?. Perhaps the Rudd govt should at least refund the tax paid to unemployed or sick person if they need Centrelink help?.
Rob Caithness said
Hi John,
Rob Caithness said
The Rudd government seeming to discriminate against NZ is a sign of the 2 countries drifting apart. It should be alarming for new Zealanders, but they don’t know what to do about it, which is why I am here. Australians see the bad Kiwis in the news as news is only about bad things. But there is still plenty of commonality. We should build on it insteadof letting it evaporate. Kiwis have the most to lose, but Australians would definetly benefit as well from a a unity pact.