To reconsider moving to Australia due to the new National Security Laws?

[ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties]

I don't pretend to fully grasp this...but I do understand that the new laws

as reported in The Guardian will effectively change the way journalists report over there.

There seems to be a frightening change happening there. We;ve been planning to move there next year...DH is Aussie. It's putting me off. Can anyone who understands more about this, either put my mind at rest or tell me I'm right to reconsider?

ahem.

Helloooo? (shouts into the void)

I don't know quite enough about these new (potential) laws (apparently it is to be passed to the lower house) but it doesn't necessarily sound like it may affect you personally, and you need to weigh it up against the benefits of moving there for you personally (and your family)

What was it that made you want to move there in the first place?

I am Aussie by the way, lived there for the first 23 years of my life, so have some knowledge of the lifestyle and general vibe, less so of more recent politics though.

The article seems to be written very much from a journos perspective (understandably as its written by a journo!). For the average person in the street, how do you feel it will affect you negatively?

I'd be interested to see a dumbed down direct comparison to how much UK journalists can/do report on issues of national security. I suspect there is a fair bit we don't know of what MI5 and MI6 are up to, and possibly don't need to know. ASIO is the Aussie equivalent...

It has been Tatty. We want to move there because DH has a good job offer and the DC do seem to love it out there when we go. I am tired of the tiny flat we live in and we could do better out there for property. We have a lot of property being left to us and will need to sort all that out when the time comes and the thought of that whilst we're in the UK is daunting.

The DC's choice of secondary schools here in the UK is pretty poor too.

Isnt the issue more that the government can now shut people up willy nilly? So writing about anything they don't want you to could be stopped....so things like their treatment of illegal immigrants and indigenous people.

Unless you're planning a career as the Aussie Edward Snowden surely you'll be OK?

It sounds like you might benefit from a move out there.

I'd be more concerned about other government policies that may have a bigger impact on your day to day lives. Do you agree with their immigration policy, attitude to asylum seekers, taxation, etc? It can feel a little nanny state over there sometimes - as it can here. It can feel a little more backward there - more sexism and racism, that said, also a more integrated immigrant community compared to here (in my perception).

Schools and lifestyle are pretty good, there's a UNICEF report that comes out every few years that always seems to put Australia ahead of the UK with regards to child welfare, though there's not a massive difference.

Do you like the climate there? That may sound like a dumb question but even as an Aussie I actually genuinely prefer the climate here.

What pisses you off about the UK? Hate Dave Cameron? Love him? Hate being in Europe? Hate paying 50p in the pound? All that stuff is relevant too obviously...

Julian Assange?

Regarding your most recent post ClapHands is that really the case though, because the article reads a bit like a journo getting her knickers in a bunch when it seems to specifically relate to ASIO type stuff. I'm not certain they can really silence journos on more straightforward policy, well, I didn't quite get that from the article anyway (I might read it again in case I missed something)

Unless you are a political journalist, I don't actually think these laws, if they get passed, will have a significant impact on your day to day life in Australia. For that reason, I wouldn't knee-jerk over it, personally.

Tatty I struggle hugely with the way they treat indigenous people. The climate...I don't LOVE it but I cope with it. I think if we're in a house with plenty of trees around it or right next to the sea I will be fine. I don't meet with much sexism as all of our circle is very well educated and though I know it's there it hasn't affected us yet.

I work in the arts and hope to make some projects for indigenous youth once we're there. At least I can help change some things.

Arts funding can be depressing in a sport mad culture hey. My parents work in the arts so I have a bit of knowledge about this.

Yes....I've thought of a cunning plan to merge sports and art

the guardian are hardly impartial on this following the Snowden fuck up

No....I suppose not. I want more comfort please. More...more...more! It's seeing other people on other sites talking about "Police States" that's given me the willies...