"Brits leaving Oz"

Many Britons emigrate to Australia every year and many Aussies go to Britain as well. This is nothing new, it has been happening for many years. The only thing that has changed is the number of “poms” who are leaving Australia indefinitely, which has been rising over the last couple of years and reached the figure of over 7000 people in the period between 2009-2010.

In this article, many evident points are raised and we can see how there is a certain concern about this fact.

It is strange that this is occurring now, specially because of the current economic situation in both countries.

Australia has a booming economy and has many things to offer the Britons and, on the other hand, Britain is submerged in a recession they are trying to recover from. The main question that could be asked is why are these people going back to a country that is struggling rather than staying in one that is in a good position and seems to be growing?

They outline the fact that, despite the good standard of life in Australia, with good job prospects, a decent salary and nice weather, Britons have their families far away and, with the rise of the Australian dollar, things have become more expensive and this probably makes them reconsider their situation and decide to return to Britain.

I agree with this article. Things are more expensive in Australia now than they were before and despite the bad economic situation in Britain, in times of trouble people normally prefer to be surrounded by their families.

With the rise of the Australian dollar, people who go back to Britain after having worked in Australia for years will be better off as they will be benefitting from the exchange rate. If we refer to the decrease in Australians who decide to move to Britain we can outline, yet again, the economic difficulties they would find in the European continent and the fact that this will not be of their interest.

Despite all this, Britons and Australians still travel from one country to another and always will as the existing ties will not fade away anytime soon, but it is obviously a concern for the Australians.

Article:

Why are so many Britons leaving Australia?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15799571

Australia's controversial prayer

A primary school in Perth (Western Australia) has decided to stop saying the Lord’s Prayer, a Christian prayer, in their school assembly. As a consequence, there has been a negative response from many parents and other members of the public from all around Australia, who believe this is an “un-Christian” and “cowardly” act on their behalf and think it should not have been abolished.

The recital of the Lord’s Prayer in assembly at this school was stopped in the first place due to certain allegations of parents who believe it can be against the secular Education Act that is in effect in Australia as, in some way, it is imposing the Christian religion on those who attend this school.

The controversy has made many people involved have to defend their position, as this action has been considered as “insensitive”; but on the other hand, due to the secular system, schools should not put a certain belief above any other at any school in the country so they should not have to be in this situation in the first place.

Despite all this, many agree that all the hate mail this school has been receiving from all over the country is completely unacceptable and they should not be attacked or accused of facts that are not sufficiently backed up or true.

I personally agree with the fact that schools should not impose a certain religion or belief on their students, as I believe it is something personal that everyone should be given the option to choose. This situation has been extremely controversial, but I am sure it is not going to be the only one, as the Australian Education Act has a secular nature and they are in their right to keep religion aside.

I do not agree at all with those who sent the so-called “hate letters” as I believe it is completely disrespectful and if they really are Christians and want their children to say the Lord’s Prayer every day, they have other options. They could possibly take these children to a different school or simply say the Prayer with them at home when they are not at school with the others.

Source: The Australian

Link to article: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/school-hate-mail-as-prayer-dropped/story-e6frgczx-1226144044387