tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5829162137963866383.post7043254388206283623..comments2023-10-19T00:42:35.763-07:00Comments on The Rant Mistress: Boris loves Aussies. Well, certain Aussies anyway...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5829162137963866383.post-19261153467460134982013-09-01T02:57:05.563-07:002013-09-01T02:57:05.563-07:00I find it hard to comprehend why it is impossible ...I find it hard to comprehend why it is impossible to use an Australian prescription for sight saving eyedrops at a pharmacy in the UK.<br />Just having spent several weeks in the UK I had to visit a hospital and then a medical centre to get an NHS prescription although I was happy to pay the full price at the pharmacy.<br />There is no problem getting a prescription filled in Belgium or Hungary. Australia is a part of the Commonwealth and we even have a portrait of the Queen on our money. We have the Union Jack in the corner of our flag but to get medication is impossible without the above mentioned NHS prescription. I know Australia will become a Republic sooner than later but until then more cooperation is needed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5829162137963866383.post-14299349554242019472013-08-29T17:09:52.228-07:002013-08-29T17:09:52.228-07:00Thank you for such a pertinent post. Yes, Boris ha...Thank you for such a pertinent post. Yes, Boris hasn't understood Australian society and culture at all. Indeed some of his misunderstandings amusing. For one, we didn't vote to retain QEII as queen of Australia, we merely failed to reach agreement on which republican system should replace the monarchy. Such a step must address two important issues.<br /> 1. Defining the reserve powers of the monarch and how many, if any, of these might be vested in a domestic head of state. <br />2. Deciding how we appoint the head of state.<br /><br />Boris shouldn't for one moment assume that we Aussies are in a state of harmonious cultural accord with him and his middle class English culture. The resonance of his comments with the Anglocentric elements of conservative culture in Australia is plain enough. Although many of us might have British ancestors, my own background is English, Irish, Scottish and Jersey French, we are an Asia Pacific country. We've gained a great deal of cultural richness from our connection with region and our diverse migrant history.<br /><br />My own experience of the UK is varied. Recently, for example, I was surprised by the interrogative tone of Immigration on arrival. There seemed to be an implication that I might want to stay there. I felt like answering, "My relatives started leaving here at the beginning of the 19th century, why on earth would I want to live here. I've just come to spend a few hard earned dollars as a contribution to your economy. Besides, I did my time working in under resourced Inner London schools years ago."<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11606227222752042128noreply@blogger.com