a Bill of Rights is sadly lacking here. Lately I have been wondering if this country might ever morph into some type of authoritarian state - do you know anything about 'our' record on mandatory detention of refugees for instance? Some of these people and their kids have been held behind barbed wire for YEARS. Self mutillation and insanity has resulted in some cases. Also, IMHO people in general are too easily herded and intimidated by authority figures, and I mean even at the grass roots level (daily life). If 'rugged individualism' still exists in this country maybe it's limited more to the traditional rural sector - OTOH I am finding that individuality is more easily accepted in Melbourne than in Sydney, as is open free speech.

This country is sorely lacking a Bill of Rights, and many people know it. The US version should be adopted and adapted for Australia.