20 - 26 August 2013 Issue: 477
Carnival chaos
Your Notting Hill Carnival survival guide uk life P6
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LITERARY BBQ Aussie authors in London
entertainment P9
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Rudd: COALITION’s $70BN BUDGET HOLE n Labor claims coalition policy costings will reveal $70bn worth of cuts, driving Australia into recession.
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has taken advantage of a coalition decision to delay details of its budget savings to declare it will drive Australia into recession next year. As Opposition Leader Tony Abbott stole the headlines with details of his “fully costed” $5.5 billion-a-year paid parental leave scheme, Labor tried to turn attention to budget cuts. Mr Rudd travelled to western Sydney to highlight a $357 million health system injection, saying Labor was deeply committed to the sector and driving jobs and innovation. But the coalition had a budget hole that could only be filled by European-style austerity cuts. “He’s just told us that he’s got a secret plan for $70 billion worth of cuts to jobs, health and education,” Mr Rudd said on Sunday. “If Mr Abbott proceeds with the $70 billion worth of cuts, and we can only assume he will, he runs a very grave risk in 2014, if he is elected, of throwing this economy into recession.” The coalition’s policies have been sent to the Parliamentary Budget Office for costing and its assessment is still to come back. Mr Abbott has said all of its plan will be released by the final week before the 7 September poll and rejects major savings in education
Wentworth prison Aussie drama at its on his signature policy – a paid parental leave scheme aimed at helping working mothers but not at the expense of business. Under the scheme, working women get 26 weeks’ maternity
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SAME RUDD. SAME LABOR. SAME FAILURE. Authorised by Brian Loughnane, Liberal Party, Cnr Blackall & Macquarie Streets, Barton, ACT 2600.
Parental leave fair dinkum, says Abbott THE well-heeled Melbourne suburb of Malvern seemed an odd choice for Tony Abbott to launch his “fair dinkum” paid parental leave (PPL) scheme. The local Sissi and Co cafe had all the makings of a perfect campaign stop – a small business, packed to the rafters with young mums, wailing bubs and waitresses zipping to and fro. But it didn’t look like battler territory – the cafe is a stone’s throw from a Jaguar dealership and the sweets cabinet stocks $14.50 boutique gingerbread men. Mr Abbott was flanked by shadow treasurer Joe Hockey, Senator Michaelia Cash and local MP for Higgins Kelly O’Dwyer, who holds the seat with a 5.4 per cent margin. The opposition leader chatted with the young staff, mingled with families and cooed over the many babies and young children as media cameras caught the moment. Mr Abbott’s message was simple: if he’s elected prime minister, all working women will get six months parental leave at their full pay, plus super, to allow them to look after their newborn. Labor, which has a scheme offering 18 weeks leave paid at the minimum national wage, says it’s unfair because it gives low-paid mums less money for having children than high income earners. ...continued on p3
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leave on full pay – up to a cap of $75,000 – plus superannuation for each baby born from 1 July, 2015. It will be funded by a 1.5 per
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2 | News
20 - 26 August 2013
Get out of the Walkabout and into the voting booth n
Why Aussies living in the UK should make their vote count.
By Chloe Westley Publisher: Bryce Lowry Editor: Alex Ivett Production/Design: Jackie Lampard News Editor: Paul Bleakley Business Editor: Sepi Roshan Contributors: Tim Martin, Georgia Dawes, Phillip Browne, Michelle McCue, Erin Somerville, George Katralis, Jacqui Moroney, Will Fitzgibbon, Chris Arkadieff, Kiel Egging, Daniel Shillito, Mat Lyons,
Sandra Tahmasby, Tyson Yates, Jennifer Perkin, Charlie Inglefield, Thomas Jones, Alistair Davis, Will Denton, Chloe Westley, Bonnie Gardiner, Michaela Gray, Marian Borges, Haylee Slater, Emma O'Neill, Ally Juchnevicius, Courtney Greatrex, Poppy Damon, Kris Griffiths Directors: P Atherton, J Durrant N Durrant, R Phillips and A Laird
Additional content: Who are we? Australian Times is written and compiled by young Australian journalists living in the UK. Contributing on a volunteer basis, they are uniquely placed to reflect the interests, opinions and attitudes of our community. If you would like to join us, contact info@australiantimes.co.uk Address: Unit 7C, Commodore House Battersea Reach, London SW18 1TW Tel: 0845 456 4910 Email: info@australiantimes.co.uk
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ACCORDING to the Australian Electoral Commission only 16,041 of the estimated 300,000 expat Australians living in the UK voted in the 2010 federal election. What is it about living in England that makes us so reluctant to participate in federal elections? Perhaps it is the gloomy weather or the saturation of British politics that deters Australians from making the trip to the High Commission for pre-polling. Washington economist Anthony Downs states that in order for a person to vote the motivating factors (influence of the vote, potential policy benefits and sense of public duty) must outweigh any inconvenience of casting a vote. It may be that Australians feel the influence of their single vote equates to nearly zero, with the policies proposed usually unlikely to affect us while we’re living in the UK. Aussies living overseas are also not legally required to vote, which decreases the sense of public duty for some. But does the inconvenience of ticking a box and sending it through the mail really outweigh our respect for democracy? It’s important to remind ourselves how lucky we are to have a say in the economic and legislative affairs of our homeland. When Australian soldiers are deployed in foreign countries, they defend Australian values – namely a person’s right to vote and freedom of speech. There are approximately
Your Say On: Aussie life in London: Expectations vs Reality
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I actually buck the trend of the Heathrow Injection and lost weight during my two years in London doing lots of commuting with the supply teaching work and generally cooking at home during the week to be healthy and save costs. Now that I’m back in Perth for over a year I’ve actually gained some weight again thanks to generous portions of yummy Chinese food my mum makes for the family. Gerard
Expectation: I would get to know my family, once removed. I thought I might see those residing outside of London perhaps once a year and those living local a bit more frequently. Reality: My family are often way too busy with their own lives to actively make room for Antipodean cousins. I see them about once every 3-4 years, but only when I try to engineer a social engagement. Unfortunately, this has also meant a visit has been cancelled at the last minute, after I took a day off work. Claire
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139 nations in the world that do not participate in democratic elections, some of which proactively deter citizens from voicing any opinions that criticize the government. We are at a turning point in our nation’s history. After 113 years of forming an identity we are beginning to become recognized on the world stage as more than just a British colony. We are the generation that gets to decide what our nation will stand for in the years to come. Will we be a safe haven for those seeking asylum? Will we be one of the first to embrace radical Green policies? Will our economy continue to boom as a result of intelligent legislation or will it collapse because of unnecessary taxation?
As an Australian citizen you have a say in what our country becomes and how we are perceived on the world stage. The policies of the next government will affect your friends and family back home, and of course yourself if you ever decide to return to Australia. September 7th is your only opportunity in the next three years to actively exercise your right to democracy. On behalf of Aussies back home and around the world, don’t drink away your right to vote in the pub.
On: Australia hungrier for organic produce than the UK
inform comparative treatment effectiveness and raise the quality of health outcomes. It seems it’s all just too hard in the face of insurmountable influential opposition to quality health outcome measures, especially when presented with easier ways to rein in the budget.
The statement “the revenue from organic farming in Australia is predicted to rise by 12.5% to $617 million by the end of the year” is incorrect. The Australian organic market is currently valued at about $1.4billion and globally about $60billion. The annual year on year demand for organic products is currently increasing at between 30-50% depending on the products. It has progressed past the ‘hippy & herbal tea’ ideologies into a serious mainstream industry. NASAA Certified Organic operates in 12 countries and is one of the world's leading organic certifiers. They say applications to become organically certified are increasing 15% per year. Ben
On: Greens announce euthanasia plan
How is it we keep going straight to promoting end-of-life choices whilst continually ignoring that some poor quality of life outcomes could have been subverted? We have an unprecedented opportunity through ehealth records to build comprehensive health case study data sets that would
For more information on how to vote in the Australian election from the UK see australiantimes.co.uk/news/ australia-election-2013.
Cris
On: Gay marriage is the ‘fashion of the moment,’ says Tony Abbott So what if Tony is not always PC. It's double standards here in Oz if Tony or the Coalition say it then it is bad, where as if Labor says it then it's fine. Kevin was thrown out of a strip joint in NY and he was praised for being a cool guy just before the 2007 election. But Tony can’t give a compliment. His comment about gay marriage being fashionable was meant as a reference to the PM changing his mind in a bid for more votes. The trouble is that most media outlets are doing whatever they can to keep Mr Rudd in power. The Labor government has hardly been under scrutiny for their many failures.
Dee Dee
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Mr Abbott defended the policy – which cuts off at $75,000 for women earning $150,000 a year – as a “fair dinkum” plan that will deliver “workplace justice” for working mums. Why should his federal government staff get parental leave paid at their wages and not the female staff pouring the coffees at the cafe, he asked. Mr Hockey lauded the scheme as an historic push to help the most vulnerable working women. “This is the biggest shot in the arm for job security for lower-income women that has even been undertaken,” he said, to applause from a large crowd of onlookers. The pitch worked for Charlotte Taylor,
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Three candidates with terminal illnesses have launched the Voluntary Euthanasia Party in Sydney, with the aim of expanding the political movement worldwide. THREE terminally ill Australians have launched the Voluntary Euthanasia Party in Sydney, which will field candidates in the 2013 federal election and ultimately aims to expand into the United Kingdom and Ireland. The candidates representing the Voluntary Euthanasia Party are each facing a terminal illness that would qualify them for euthanasia under the party’s policy platform. South Australian Senate candidate Max Bromson, who has advanced carcinoid cancer, said that he was motivated to represent the Voluntary Euthanasia Party in order to address the failure of government to deal with the issue. Mr Bromson said: “I want the nation to see just how critical this issue is. To many of us it is a life and death issue, one we may even have to die for, and if this were to occur, others will step forward to take my place. Giving electors the chance to cast a vote on this important issue may finally speed the reintroduction of good euthanasia legislation back into Australia.” Martin Burgess, who suffers from disseminated bowel cancer, will represent the Voluntary Euthanasia Party in the Northern Territory seat of Solomon. Loredana Mulhall, who will represent the party in the New South Wales Senate ballot, is a Sydney local with severe progressive multiple sclerosis. Prominent euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke will serve as deputy convener of the Voluntary Euthanasia Party. Dr Nitschke was the first doctor in the world to administer a legal and voluntary lethal injection, and is the director of euthanasia advocacy organisation Exit International. Dr Nitschke said that the Voluntary Euthanasia Party had
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been quick to establish itself and gain community support. He said the party’s initial success had prompted investigation into forming similar political organisations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Dr Nitschke was detained for questioning at London Gatwick Airport in June while travelling to the United Kingdom for an Exit International seminar. His detention came after a petition was made to British Home Secretary Theresa May in an attempt to deny him entry to the country. Euthanasia – or the act of assisting an individual in committing suicide – is illegal in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Dr Nitschke told Australian Times that the United Kingdom were unlikely to change their position on assisted suicide, however he felt that it was important that individuals were able to access the information necessary to make an educated decision on the issue. Dr Nitschke said: “While there is no likelihood of change to UK law that prohibit assisting a suicide, while suicide itself is not an illegal act, we argue that it makes sense for elderly people to obtain the information, the drugs and the equipment that they would need should they were to get to a point where they are desperate for a peaceful death.” The Australian Greens this week announced that they intend to introduce a bill to legalise euthanasia after the next federal election. Their proposed legislation will be based on an unsuccessful model that was rejected by the New South Wales state government earlier this year.
The seat of Higgins was held by former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello for nearly 20 years. It was he who was credited with an Australian baby boom after famously urging families to have “one for mum, one for dad and one for the country”. Mr Abbott said his policy was also “unashamedly, unambiguously, pro child”. Later on Sunday, Mr Abbott returned to his Sydney electorate of Warringah and tossed a football around Brookvale Oval. Mr Abbott matched Labor’s commitment of $10 million in funding to help renovate the venue. Joined by wife Margie and daughter Frances, Mr Abbott posed for pictures with an excited team of junior players before calling it a day. - AAP
La Tomatina
Voluntary Euthanasia Party launched in Sydney
By Paul Bleakley
a small business owner enjoying her Sunday morning with four-month-old Sybil and husband George. The couple described the scheme as fantastic, saying it would allow her to spend more time with their next child – although they agreed they’d probably make that decision regardless. The plan will cost $5.5 billion a year, offset by a business levy and budget savings from mid-2015. The 1.5 per cent levy will be applied to about 3000 companies earning more than $5 million in taxable income a year – many of which will receive an offsetting corporate tax cut. The coalition estimates the net cost at $6 billion over the forward estimates, after savings and the scrapping of Labor’s scheme.
NOW
cent levy on about 3000 companies earning more than $5 million in taxable income a year and offset by a previously announced corporate tax cut from mid-2015. The coalition estimates the final net cost at $6 billion over the forward estimates, after budget savings and the scrapping of Labor’s scheme. “This isn’t a generous scheme, this is a fair scheme,” Mr Abbott said in Melbourne. But Mr Rudd said he would be “relying on cuts from elsewhere” to fund it and championed Labor’s 18 weeks at the minimum wage as an affordable plan that didn’t discriminate in favour of high earning women. Labor also argues businesses,
particularly those with in-house parental schemes, could pass on the levy cost to consumers, although Mr Abbott argues their overall tax burden won’t be increased. As the election campaign enters its third week, Labor is preparing to carpet bomb the coalition over how it’s going to fund its policies and promises, particularly on health. Mr Rudd predicted the coalition would “dive, dive dive for cover”. Meanwhile, Labor will preference the Australian Greens over the coalition in the Senate – except in Queensland where it’s done a deal with Bob Katter’s Australia Party. The Greens will return the favour, and many of its local branches intend to preference Labor in lower house marginal seats. - AAP
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Business levy to fund coalition’s paid parental leave scheme
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4 | Community
20 - 26 August 2013
University researcher seeks Aussie expats
Voting Guide
n Our ‘how to’ guide for voting in the Are you an Australian expat in the UK Australian election. who wants to discuss your experiences? A Griffith University business researcher is seeking Aussies who independently relocated to the United Kingdom within the last twelve months to take part in a study Courtesy of AEC into the expatriate experience. n
By Michaela Gray VOTING is our democratic right but the process of electing a candidate can prove confusing. Ensure your vote counts in the 2013 federal election by correctly filling out your ballot papers for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
time as the House of Representatives. There are two ways to vote for a senator. Above the line is the most simplistic option. By placing a 1 in the box of the party you support that party will decide all your preference votes for you.
If you choose to vote below the line, you must number all the candidates in order of your preference. You must put a number in every box, or your vote will not be counted.
House of Representatives
A GRIFFITH University researcher is currently seeking to interview Australians who have who have independently relocated to the United Kingdom within the last twelve months to work. William Vuk Despotovic, a Business School researcher from Griffith University in Queensland, is embarking on a study that aims to contribute to the broader knowledge of expatriates, by providing an insight into the crosscultural experiences of Australians who have chosen to work abroad. He says, “With the increasing pressures of globalisation, many multinational organisations are realising that the development of
their global human resources and effective management of such is becoming a key human resource strategy.” William is available days, nights, or weekends to conduct an interview about your experiences of being an Australian expat working in the UK. To receive more information about this research or to arrange a time for an interview please contact William on +61 424 567671 or email v.despotovic@griffith.edu.au. All communication will remain private and confidential and no identifiable personal material will be used in written work or verbal presentations.
Also known as the Lower House, 150 seats make up the House of Representatives. Each represents an electorate with the Members of Parliament elected roughly every three years. To vote for an MP in your seat, you must fill out your ballot paper by numbering all the candidates in order of preference. The order in which names on the ballot paper is determined by a draw. ‘How to vote’ cards are produced by the major political parties and recommend how they would like you to list the candidates. At this election, for example, the Liberal Party will advise voters to put the Greens last. Voters are not obliged to follow these suggestions. A candidate must receive 50% of the primary vote (the number of boxes marked 1) plus one, in order to be elected. If no candidate receives 50%, the
candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and the other preferences on his or her ballot papers are distributed to the remaining candidates. This continues until one candidate has 50% plus one, at which point the seat will be decided.
Senate
The Upper House is made up of 76 Senators, including 12 from each of the six states and two each from the two mainland territories (the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory). The senators from the states are elected for six years, while those from the territories are elected roughly every three years at the same
The order in which names on the ballot paper is determined by a draw. Once a candidate has reached 14.3% of the vote (33% in the territories), he or she is elected. At that point a complex system comes into play to redistribute their other ballot papers. Voting is compulsory for every Australian citizen aged 18 years or older. If you do not vote and do not have a valid and sufficient reason for failing to vote, a penalty is imposed. *Please note: The following information was correct at the time of publication and is subject change. Consult the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website for the latest information.
Greens launch UK campaign
By Courtney Greatrex
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THE Australian Greens have launched their UK campaign in order to encourage Australian expats in London to vote Green in the imminent federal election. The Greens, who claim to provide a real alternative to the “tired, cynical politics of Labor and the Liberal party”, have targeted Australians in London after a 2010 Australian Times exit poll at Australia House found voter support for The Greens in the UK was at 32%. Spearheading The Greens UK campaign is former Greens Hobart City Councillor and now London-based lecturer, Mat Hines. Mr Hines believes that Greens votes cast in London could be crucial in determining Senate seat results, and therefore the balance of power, as well as deciding the outcome in lower house seats in a number of states. “With the Liberals decision to put The Greens last on how-to-vote cards, the London vote could determine the outcome of The Greens’ Deputy Leader Adam Bandt’s seat of Melbourne,” said Mr Hines. Mr Bandt won this seat in 2010 and currently holds it with a margin of 5.9 per cent. The Greens currently have nine senators elected to the Australian
upper house. In this election, there are three senators up for re-election in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. Mr Hines said, “Many Australians living in the UK choose their vote based on the type of country they want to return to, as well as how their parliament represents Australia on the international stage. “To many expat Australians the current direction of the country and its international standing is not one to feel proud of. The direction offered by the Coalition is even less so.
Courtesy of AEC
“The Greens offer an alternative to those voters who believe that Australia should be a country that invests in tertiary education and research, tackles poverty and homelessness, supports marriage equality, harnesses our clean energy resources and sticks by our international obligations to welcome asylum seekers.” Australia House on the Strand is open for pre-polling for the two weeks leading up to the election, from 26 August until 6 September. Voters are encouraged to avoid queues by voting during the first week of voting.
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LABOR ISN’T WORKING FOR AUSTRALIA Record debt 43 new taxes and hikes Highest number of people unemployed for 14 years Job destroying carbon tax Six years of chaos and dysfunction
SAME RUDD.SAME LABOR. SAME FAILURE PRE-POLL VOTING IN PERSON WILL BE AVAILABLE AT AUSTRALIA HOUSE, THE STRAND, LONDON WC2 FROM MONDAY 26 AUG–FRIDAY 6 SEPT (CLOSED SUNDAY 1 SEPT). Authorised by Brian Loughnane, Liberal Party, Cnr Blackall & Macquarie Streets, Barton, ACT 2600.
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19/08/2013 4:49:01 PM
6 | UK Life
20 - 26 August 2013
It’s Carnival time! Honeymooning Nomad > Jacqui Moroney
Notting Hill Carnival is a riotous mix of steel band music, flamboyantly colourful costumes and social atmosphere, hosted in London’s Notting Hill every August Bank Holiday. Originating in 1964 as an off-shoot of the Trinidad Carnival as a way for the UK’s AfroCaribbean communities to celebrate their own culture, it is now the
largest street festival in Europe. Last year’s two day Carnival hosted 50,000 street performers, 40 sound systems and around 2.5 million people. The first day of the festival, Sunday, is usually children’s day with a shorter parade route and costume prizes. The main parade is held on Bank Holiday Monday between 9am and 7pm and festivities continue at the many after-parties once the float procession has finished. The parade snakes through 2.2 miles (or 3.5km) of Notting Hill streets, starting at Great Western
Rd travelling south along Chepstow Rd, west along Westbourne Grove and north along Ladbroke Grove. The many streets and laneways in between are full of incredible smelling Caribbean and Jamaican food stalls, pumping sound systems, overflowing party pubs and crowded street bars. Most of the shop fronts and many homes have been boarded up for the weekend and all of the streets are restricted to foot traffic or parade traffic only. For more information see Thenottinghillcarnival.com
FIVE essential carnival items 1 Loo paper: whether you are having a drink or not, you will need to use the toilet at some point during the day. Within a couple of hours the toilets are filthy, the lines are ridiculously long and the toilet paper is nonexistent. If you want to be able to use the facilities comfortably, take your own stash of loo paper so that you are not caught out. Alternatively, there are many home owners and pubs along the route that will open up their toilet to you for a small fee (£2 or £1 per trip).
2
Cash: ATMs are limited and lines are long. It is a good idea to take enough cash to cover your transport, food, drinks and possible toilet stops!
3 Notting Hill Carnival Survival Guide How to get there The Carnival is surrounded by several tube stations including Notting Hill Gate, Bayswater, Royal Oak, Westbourne Park, Holland Park and Queensway. Notting Hill Gate station on the jam-packed Central line is particularly busy, and should be avoided if possible. Check tfl.gov.uk for changes to bus routes and tube travel during this time. What to eat The wonderful aromas of traditional Caribbean food provoke a healthy appetite for all carnival goers. As someone who had not experienced these exotic cuisines, the Notting Hill Carnival provided the perfect introduction to tasty jerk chicken with rice and peas, potent rum punch and char-grilled corn on the cob. A complete meal will set you back around £7, where a drink of rum punch from one of the many bars will cost you between £4 and £8. It is better to shop around, but expect to queue for the food stalls with the best smells and best meal deals.
What to listen to While the traditional steel bands, Soca & Calypso Music are still there, huge sound systems have taken over the streets and play anything from Reggae to R&B, Funk, House, Dub and much more. Live stages feature many local bands, but top international artists (Eddie Grant, Jamiroquai) have been known to make appearances in previous years. Steel Pan, or Steelbands, fill the streets with melodic sounds and strings of followers and dancers. Samba music and dance, Latin jazz, reggae and drum ‘n’ bass provide a loud but fun atmosphere in almost every street. You can see a full list of sound systems at the Notting Hill Carnival website. Last year we particularly enjoyed the techno beats of the Pineapple Tribe, opposite the Walmer Castle, and relaxing in the courtyard of the Tabernacle on Talbot Road. Though, we did frequent the Lonsdale pub for a free hat with any drink purchase and their clean toilets at 2 quid (£2) a pop, complete with chupa chups, hair spray and aftershave.
Your typical British weather kit: Summer in London is usually warm, with an average August temperature of about 20°C (68°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F). With cool nights, 16 hours of sunlight and a chance of showers approximately 12 days in the month, I would take your usual “British Weather Kit” – an umbrella, a light jumper/jacket and sunglasses and possibly a hat.
4
A mobile phone alternative: With so many people in a relatively small area, there is only a slim chance that you will have enough mobile phone reception to use the Notting Hill Carnival app, check in on Facebook or make a phone call. Use the maps to make a time and place to meet with your friends before you get there. Think about taking walkie talkies, or have a plan about what to do if someone from your group goes walkabout.
5
Your best dance moves: With such an array of bands, DJs and stereo systems you will find yourself wanting to put on your dancing shoes and sway your hips to the addictive and melodic Caribbean sounds that fill the streets. Let your hair down and enjoy a dance!
Reaching a fever pitch
Image by Toby Jagmohan
SUBCULTURE SLEUTH > PAUL BLEAKLEY
You can feel it. The sense of anticipation is at fever pitch and the excitement that courses through the bones is palpable. The summer sun might still be lingering, but that is irrelevant. The outside world might as well not exist once the clock strikes three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. It is that time of year, folks. The Premier League is back. No sporting competition quite matches up to the scale of the English Premier League. Unlike in Australia, where different types of football are followed on a regional basis, the Premier League captivates an entire
nation. More than that – the Premier League is a showcase for the world’s greatest football players, from Japan’s Shinji Kagawa to Australian legend Mark Schwarzer. Australia is a nation of sportslovers. It wouldn’t be unusual for an Australian to spend an entire day watching the Ashes, before turning around to watch an NRL doubleheader. My housemate is such a sports fan that – even after a big Friday night – he will wake up in the early hours of the morning to watch his beloved Brisbane Broncos. Despite our collective love for sport, soccer has taken a long time to gain a foothold in Australia. Our domestic competition is becoming more and more prominent, however the thought that the Premier League would ever hold our interest like the
NRL or AFL is, frankly, laughable. It is a slow process, but it happens. One day you will find yourself having a pint after work, in an intent debate over the merits of Wayne Rooney signing for Chelsea or use Fulham FC as the punch-line of a joke. Before you have realised it, you have become a follower of the English Premier League without even realising it. It is understandable for a sportsmad people like Australians to become fans of football while living in the UK. So when the opening round comes along – conveniently right as the NRL and AFL seasons wind-down – it is hard not to be excited. Whether you came to the UK supporting a team or you have adopted a local side, happy 2013/14 season to one and all.
Food & Wine | 7
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HUNter 486 at The Arch London n
REVIEW | Experience the glamour and style of The Arch Hotel, with a meal at their contemporary bar and brassiere HUNter 486. The only difficulty is having to leave at the end of the night.
Walking down Oxford Street on a warm summer’s evening is like walking through Dante’s seventh circle of hell. I’m late for a dinner reservation at HUNter 486, a chic brassiere in a boutique hotel just off Marble Arch, and I’m feeling flustered, sweaty and the opposite of someone due to dine amongst the residents of a five-star hotel. I suddenly experience London like a tourist might – the overwhelming
swell of office workers and residents rushing and turning, pushing and prodding, trying to break through those lingering with their cameras who want to admire the sights and sounds of this busy street. Walking through the doors of The Arch is like escaping this hell, into – well it’s too obvious to say it. Not heaven, but at the least a luxurious and opulent refuge – chic contemporary art, gleaming leather and muted colours. The concept of a restaurant within a hotel being a dining destination in its own right is, I must admit, a concept new to me. It brings to mind the idea of ‘friends with benefits’ – aspects of the relationship without the accompanying sleepover. It’s hard to get past the idea that I won’t at the end of the meal be able to loudly declare ‘charge it to my room’ before swanning off upstairs to my tastefully designed suite. This is particularly the case at The Arch, where the contemporary and cosy feel invites you to roll straight from dinner, into the elevator and bed down between their crisp, clean hotel sheets. Alas, I must be satisfied with naught but a meal in this townhouse hotel. Named after the 1950s dialling code for Marylebone, the brassiere
past the lobby is a light and airy space with a large window bordering the open plan kitchen – complete with its own stone bed pizza oven. Private semi-circle booths and long leather benches lend it an air of old, New York glamour and, in fact, in the adjacent Salon de Champagne there are even more secluded tables where diners can draw a curtain to eat completely in private. We skip the array of cocktails available and settle straight on a deliciously light and fruity Pinot Grigio from Alois Legeder in Italy. The wine list covers a range of regions from mainly Italy, France and Spain, with a hint of Australia and South Africa. It pairs well with the menu, designed by Head Chef Laurence Glayzer, formerly of Browns Hotel. The selection seems to aim for contemporised English classics – with starters ranging from a duck terrine through to carpaccio of beef. We opt for smoked salmon – a delicate layer of fresh, thinly sliced salmon squeezed with lime, and a plate of hot green asparagus served with hollandaise sauce. It’s a delicious combination of flavours and the asparagus is the perfect marrying
How to BBQ like an Aussie
n
As summer fades, there is still time to throw a last backyard barbecue – Australian style. Forget throwing a shrimp on the barbie, once humble BBQ fodder has been replaced with an array of gourmet grillables. By Michaela Gray BARBECUING is an Australian culinary tradition and every Aussie is born with an innate sense of exactly when to turn the snags. In the 80′s it was all about throwing a shrimp on the barbie, but how times have changed. Check out our list of the top five foods featuring on Aussie BBQs around the UK this summer.
Veggies
Onion is no longer the token vegetable at the party. Potatoes, mushrooms, zucchini and corn have all become regular features on the
melt-in-your-mouth experience, with the soft gooey centre oozing into the coconut flavours the ice cream. Similarly, the other dessert, the Eton mess, is another exercise in indulgence and my first experience of this unique English mix of crumbled meringue and raspberry and strawberry coulis. A plate of complimentary gourmet chocolates tidy off a satisfying meal. We may not be bedding down in the comfort in the rooms upstairs, but at least we get the ‘after-dinner’ pillow mints. HUNter 486 Brasserie, The Arch London, 50 Great Cumberland Place, London W1H 7FD. See Thearchlondon.com for reservations.
Pizza and pasta eat as much as you want for
£10
Snags
The sausage is a compulsory staple of any barbecue. However, times are a changin’ for the humble snag. Gone are the days when a sausage was an assumed flavour – beef and gristle – now there are dozens of gourmet (say it ‘gour-met’) fillings to choose from; lamb and rosemary, beef and red wine, chicken and goat cheese. Supermarkets have caught on, competing with butchers to offer their own cut-price varieties. Where once it was acceptable to serve a sausage char-grilled beyond recognition, these new snags must be cooked to perfection to preserve their fine flavours. Accompaniments of white sliced bread and tomato sauce are out of the question – salads, chutneys and artisan loaves have brought barbecuing into 2013.
of crisp and soft textures. The waiter proffers an array of freshly baked bread as an accompaniment, with salty butter presented on black slate. In fact, presentation seems to be a point of pride, sometimes outdoing the flavours themselves. The fillet of beef ‘Wellington’ is served up with a light lattice of puff pastry covering a juicy, tender thick cut of beef. It sits in a light broth of Madeira truffle sauce, and is accompanied by a pleasant mix of mushroom and foie gras puree. The restaurant’s signature dish, chicken “Hunter style”, is baked in the stone bed oven and served up with a hearty mix of button mushrooms, roughly cut tomatoes and tarragon jus. A side of mashed potato is whisked to perfection and deliciously creamy. And then comes dessert. Ah dessert, I could dedicate a whole column to you. The chocolate fondant pudding appears artfully presented on a thin square of black slate. It is a literal
barbecue. Drizzled generously with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper, they add colour to a barbecue banquet without compromising its coronary inducing credentials. Anything that can be skewered Diced meat, prawns, chunky cut veg and halloumi skewered in no particular order make for an easy to eat party snack. Save on plates, napkins and cutlery by serving your skewered sensations straight from the grill.
Eggs
As the most important meal of the day, the breakfast barbie is the ideal way to kick off any early start event – sporting team grand final, festival or buck’s party. It also serves as the ultimate recovery session for any of the
aforementioned events. Eggs will play a major role here, backed up by bacon and of course sausage. They may be accompanied by onion, mushroom and tomato and served stuffed into fat, fluffy rolls or between thickly sliced bread and complete with lashings of butter.
Pineapple
We deep fry it, put it on our pizzas and in our burgers, but on the barbecue is where pineapple really belongs. Lightly grilled, dusted with sugar and topped with ice cream, it makes for a delicious end to a protein rich meal. Peaches and mango also work a treat. What do you like to throw on your summer BBQ? Tell us on the Australian Times Facebook page.
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8 | Entertainment
What’s On Sam Simmons Shitty Trivia 12 - 24 August @Soho Theatre San Cisco 20 August @London's Sebright Arms Amity Affliction 14 September @Underworld Adam Hills Happyism 22 September @Hammersmith Apollo FilmFest Australia October 2013 @Barbican Centre Barry Gibb 3 October @O2 Arena Tim Minchin in Jesus Christ Superstar 13 October @02 Arena For full details...
...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
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Abbott gaffes Twitter mashup @DrJavaBeans
This #suppository thing is over the top. It was just a malapoopism. @JohnJohnsonson
News Ltd quickly rewriting style guide to include #suppository as legitimate unit of measurement @anthonyackroyd
So that's where @ TonyAbbottMHR keeps his costings. #suppository @SimonHeagney
Tony Abbott - the biggest pain in the arse! #suppository #sexappeal #fashionofthemoment @Zymymar
So #womenofcalibre have #sexappeal. Do they keep it in their #suppository? @ABCnewsintern
Two scoreboards at Liberal HQ: "Days since last candidate implosion" and "Days since last Tony Abbott cock-up". Both are marked 0. #ausvotes @albericie
I always cast my vote based on the #sexappeal of the candidates… don't you?
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20 - 26 August 2013
Sex, power and violence
Aussie drama Wentworth Prison hits UK screens n
Classic Australian drama Prisoner has been reimagined in the gritty series Wentworth Prison, set to screen on UK’s Channel 5 this week. PAUL BLEAKLEY chats to Aussie actress Nicole da Silva, who plays top dog Franky.
AUSTRALIAN actress Nicole da Silva is used to playing tough characters. Her list of credits includes gritty roles as characters on both sides of law. Her role as a young car thief in Australian drama Dangerous even earned her a Logie nomination for Most Outstanding New Talent. This year has seen da Silva tackle her grittiest role yet, with new Australian television series Wentworth Prison seeing her behind bars and fighting for her life. Wentworth Prison, which premiered on Australian television earlier this year, is the longanticipated reimagining of classic Australian television series Prisoner, a program that ran for seven years and 692 episodes between 1979 and 1986. The series followed the lives of a group of women imprisoned in the fictional Wentworth Detention Centre. Given the international success of the original Prisoner series, anticipation was high when a reimagining of the series was announced, with many critics debating whether the 2013 incarnation would live up to the high standard set by the original
series. da Silva told Australian Times that the cast and crew of Wentworth Prison were forced to wait until the program aired before knowing whether or not they had succeeded in living up to audience expectations. da Silva said: “There was huge pressure on us to get it right, and we didn’t really know during filming if we had found the right balance between the reimagining and the original. It came down to the line. Once it was on television and people were responding the way they were we exhaled.” The audience response to Wentworth Prison after it premiered in Australia was overwhelmingly positive, with critics calling it one of the best Australian dramas in recent memory. da Silva’s portrayal of alpha dog inmate Franky Doyle has attracted particular acclaim, with reviews calling her a breakout character. da Silva told Australian Times: “Franky is a top dog, she is complex and pretty sassy. What is great is that the power dynamic shifts between Franky and Jacs
(played by Kris McQuade) and later, Bea (played by Danielle Cormack). Audiences in general are crying out for strong female characters on television, then someone like Franky comes and fits that role. She is also really in tune with her sexuality and willing to exercise that to gain power.” In somewhat of a departure from the original Prisoner series, Wentworth Prison focuses on the gritty aspects of life in prison including violence and sexual relationships. da Silva’s character is involved in one of the more unique sexual relationships of the series: as the series progresses, Franky’s interactions with prison administrator Erica Davidson (played by Leeanna Walsman) grow more and more sexually charged. da Silva told Australian Times: “As English audiences get to know Franky, they will see that she is operating from a position of control and trying to control people (like Erica). If her sexuality comes into play so be it and that is what is tantalising about the character.” Wentworth Prison does not hold back in its portrayal of prison violence, with the feud between da Silva’s character and prison heavy-weight Jacs often erupting in disconcertingly realistic displays of aggression. da Silva told Australian Times that she found it hard at times to leave the character of Franky behind when the cameras stopped rolling. da Silva said: “Physically it wasn’t difficult. I got to do stunt sequences and I relish that part of the job. Psychologically, when you tap into that type of character you’re really accessing a part of yourself that you don’t get to exercise every day. I was pretty lucky that I was leaving Australia straight after filming, because the physical distance helped me get out of that character a lot.”
Due to its setting in a women’s prison, the cast of Wentworth Prison is primarily female and is made up of both established performers and rising stars in the Australian entertainment industry. da Silva said that the cast were not particularly aware of the high number of females on the show during filming, however acknowledged the impact on audiences. da Silva said: “When I go into work – and some of the others said this also – you’re not acutely aware that you’re amongst females. You’re just professionals doing your job, so I don’t think it impacted on us on set. What it has impacted on is how audiences view television and how they recalibrate what they are looking to see. Isn’t it a shame that it has taken thirty years for another television show with such a heavily female cast?” The success of Wentworth Prison’s first season led to a second season being commissioned for next year before the season finale aired on Australian television in July. Between shooting, da Silva travelled to Paris to act in a French-Australian film called Drama directed by Sophie Matheson. da Silva said: “Season two rolled around sooner than we expected, but in between now and season two I will shoot off to Paris to shoot a film called Drama. It is a completely different role from Franky, very delicate and feminine.” Wentworth Prison’s first season will premiere in the United Kingdom on 28 August on Channel 5. It will consist of ten hour-long episodes, and will screen at 10pm.
Get more Drama
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Entertainment | 9
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For the love of literature n
This month a wealth of Australian and New Zealand literary talent descends on London for the inaugural ANZ Literary BBQ in Hammersmith, including authors Craig Silvey and Eleanor Catton. By Alex Ivett Australia and New Zealand have a wealth of literary talent, recognised both at home and globally. It is a scene rich in diverse voices, unique talent and interesting stories and one Antipodeans should be proud to promote to the wider world.
Hannah Kent
Featured Authors Craig Silvey Acclaimed Australian author Craig Silvey published his first book Rhubarb at the age of nineteen. It was followed by Jasper Jones in 2009, a book which quickly became an Australian classic and has been published in 16 countries in 14 languages. It came in sixth in a recent ABC survey of the '10 Aussie books you must read before you die’. Craig’s most recent book, Amber Amulet, is due to be released in the UK this month. The small but perfectly formed Amber Amulet tells the story of the Masked Avenger (twelve-year-old Liam McKenzie) and his trusty Power Beagle. Eleanor Catton Eleanor received enormous global praise for her debut
Soon, expats in the UK will have the opportunity to do just that with the inaugural ANZ Literary BBQ to be held in London on 29 August. Introducing four great Antipodean literary talents, the evening will be a combination of sharp new writing, live music and short film from Australia and New Zealand. The festival showcase will include readings from Aussie and New Zealand authors and live music from Ben Fletcher, former Sarah Blasko band member and debut solo artist. Tickets to the literary event (exclusive of food and drink) are £15 or £30 including a BBQ. BBQ tickets include entry to the festival, two glasses of NZ wine, and a choice of novel The Rehearsal. It was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Dylan Thomas Prize, and longlisted for the Orange Prize. It has since been published in 17 territories and 12 languages. Her second novel The Luminaries is an epic Victorian mystery set in the opening years of New Zealand’s gold rush, circa 1866. The book has been described by her publisher Granta as 'one of the most important works of fiction we have ever published’. It has been longlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize. Eleanor Catton was born in 1985 in Canada and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. Courtney Collins Courtney’s debut novel The Burial, an inspired reimagining of the life of 1920s female outlaw Jessie Hickman, has been shortlisted for several prizes and is being
The king of trivia
n
Master of the absurd, comedian Sam Simmons, brings his mad-cap, subversive, hilarious stand-up back to the UK. By Alex Ivett LAST time Sam Simmons came to London with his show About the Weather, I laughed so hard I almost
cried. It was an hour-long subversive, absurdist roller-coaster of hilarity akin to what I imagine dropping acid on the set of a comedy sketch show would be like.
Craig Silvey
gourmet BBQ offerings and dessert. This special event is the first in a larger programme of events to celebrate Australian and New Zealand translated into several languages. It has been optioned for a feature film by Pure Pictures. Courtney grew up in the Hunter Valley in NSW. She now lives on the Goulburn River in regional Victoria. Hannah Kent Hannah’s debut novel, Burial Rites, takes us to northern Iceland, 1829, where Agnes Magnúsdóttir is condemned to death for her part in the brutal murder of two men. Hannah’s astonishing book has been the subject of an international bidding war, and will be translated in 15 languages. Hannah Kent was born in Adelaide in 1985. She is the co-founder and deputy editor of Australian literary journal Kill Your Darlings, and is completing her PhD at Flinders University. In 2011 she won the inaugural Writing Australia Unpublished Manuscript Award.
Courtney Collins
creative talent and showcase it in the UK. It will culminate in an ANZ Literature and Arts Festival of talks, debates, readings, performances, music, short film and art to be hosted in London in May 2014. Don’t miss this spectacular showcase of incredible Antipodean talent, right at our door. See bit.ly/LiteraryBBQ for tickets or Anzfestival.com for more information.
Details When: Thursday 29 August Where: Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith Doors: 6.00pm Running Time: 7.30pm10.30pm (with interval) Tickets: £30 with advance BBQ offer, for £15 entry only.
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At the time I said Sam Simmons stand-up was less observational witticisms and more mad-cap performance art insanity, and the UK was unlikely to see anything like it again – at least until Simmons came back to town. Now, a mere seven months later, and the Simmons whirlwind has returned with a new show Shitty Trivia. For those Australians who are regular listeners of Triple J, they would be familiar with Simmons radio segment of the same name. A random, free-fall through all of life’s big questions, like “Is it wrong to feed a cat a Vienetta?” “Not if you’re a millionaire” is the answer. It is a powerful and life-changing hour of questions. You’ll learn nothing, but you’ll look at the world differently. For those who are already fans, you will delight in seeing this unique stream of consciousness brought to life on the stage. Possibly with you as an audience member included. And for those who haven’t yet had the benefit of the Sam Simmons experience, well, prepare yourselves. You’re in for one hell of a ride. Sam Simmons: Shitty Trivia is on at Soho Theatre until Saturday 24 August. Tickets are £10-£20 and available from sohotheatre.com.
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10 | Travel
20 - 26 August 2013
n
KRIS GRIFFITHS goes summer snowboarding on Europe’s biggest skiable glacier, before exploring the classic French charm of nearby Grenoble. NOTHING quite beats the feeling of standing poised at the summit of a gleaming ski run, boots clipped in and goggles down, surrounded by peaks and blue sky, ready to launch yourself down the piste. Well there’s something that certainly puts a new spin on that feeling – the knowledge that it’s the height of summer, and that only an hour ago you were sunning yourself in typical July temperatures at an outside bar before catching the gondola up.
From up on high I’m at Les Deux Alpes, France’s second oldest ski resort after Chamonix, not far from Grenoble in the southern Rhones-Alpes region. It is home to Europe’s largest skiable glacier soaring to 3,200 metres, and hosted the 1968 Winter Olympics. Here in summer 2013 though the winter season crowds are long
gone and the hotels and resort thoroughfares fairly quiet. It’s also what makes it ideal for a summer holiday with a difference if you’ve caught the skiing bug early. At this altitude there are never any of the dreaded end-of-season slushy pistes, and fewer skiers mean shorter lift queues. The corollary is that the apres-ski is quieter too, though bars and restaurants are still very much open.
To down below If ever you tire of the several runs and freestyle area on offer, there are many other ways of descending the mountains in summer. Paragliding’s one option, but a more heart-pumping method is mountain-biking – proper mountain-biking – with tracks carved into the slopes for that purpose. Clad in helmet and body padding I and my companions spent an afternoon hurtling down these tracks at sometimes alarming speeds, learning swiftly how and when to brake as bends loomed and gradients steepened. With dirt kicking up everywhere and some inevitable wipe-outs, we emerged at ground level mud-splattered from boots to helmet – I hadn’t had as much earthy fun since boyhood mischief years.
Village life If you fancy a break from the frenetic, the resort retains its Alpine charm for simply wandering around. Further into the valley lies the mountain village of Venosc where locally-made crafts can be picked up, while back at the hotel (I stayed at Hotel Le Souleil see Le-souleil-or. fr/en) the more relaxed ambience about the place made it feel almost Christmassy. Les Deux Alpes’ final trump card is that it’s closer to an airport than other resorts – served by SaintGeoirs, Lyon and Geneva – and is only an hour’s drive from the city of Grenoble which, as it’s served by the same airport, is almost obligatory to visit and stay at in the same trip.
Capital of the Alps Nestled between three mountain ranges, the “Capital of the Alps” is one of the region’s foremost cities. Despite its mountainous surroundings
Travel | 11
AustralianTimes.co.uk
it’s also France’s flattest, having been built on the wide alluvial plain of the River Isère. This makes it ideal for exploring by bicycle, which are easily rentable (and cheaply at €5 a day) from the railway station or MetroVelo offices. The city is classically French, with lively green squares and ancient Gallo-Roman sites sitting amid architectural heritage dating back many centuries. And alongside the old buildings are some grand modern urban projects like the Bonne ecological neighbourhood, similar to London’s Greenwich Millennium Village, where my hotel resided (Caserne DeBonne: see Residhome. com/hotel-residence-aparthotelgrenoble-194.html). My cycle around the city centre brought me to two memorable visitor sites displaying Grenoble’s historical and newer aspects at their most fascinating. First, the Musée de Grenoble – a striking contemporary structure exhibiting masterpieces chronologically from the 13th century to the modern era of Monet and Matisse. Things then teleport back to the early Middle Ages in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, at the deconsecrated St Laurent church which now stands as a complex archaeological site and museum, unique in Europe. Almost 2,000 sepulchres, some from the fourth century, have been discovered beneath this one-time major burial site. The ongoing archaeological dig is open to visitors, though the spectacle of partly-exposed ancient skeletons can be quite unsettling.
Grenoble grub There’s nothing like a bit of morbid fascination though to work up an appetite, and Grenoble duly delivers some delicious provincial specialties like Tartiflette and Gratin Dauphinois, with one family-run restaurant doing a sterling job on that front (L’aiguillage, on rue Abbé Grégoire).
For further information: www.rhonealpes-tourisme.com www.grenoble-tourisme.com www.les2alpes.com For specific info requests email info.uk@atout-france.fr
And expect to be offered at some point during your trip a postprandial Chartreuse – the spicy herbbased liqueur made for centuries by Carthusian Monks in the Chartreuse mountains overlooking the city. My final view of Grenoble is an arresting panorama from the top of the Bastille – an ancient fortress towering above the city since 1591. To get up there you ride one of the ‘bubbles’ – one of the world’s first urban cable-cars, built in 1934. After disembarking you’ve got options comprising a day out in itself, including a fine restaurant overlooking the valley (Téléphérique: see Bastillegrenoble.fr/tele.htm) and the opportunity to zipwire hundreds of metres high between the fortress and a neighbouring mountain (at Acrobastille: Acrobastille.fr) – a final heart-pounding blowout to truly crown the trip. When you come down from the mountain, be it at Grenoble or Les Deux Alpes, the overriding urge is to go straight back up the next day to repeat whatever you were doing – that’s why a few days at each place is a great idea. So I know now for sure what I’m doing for my stag weekend if I ever get married: a dual-location experience of culture and action at their highest, and all less than two hours away from London.
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How to submit Email your feature to editor@australiantimes.co.uk with the subject ‘Great Travel Writer’. It should be: • 600-1200 words length • An original first hand account • Accompanied by 3 high resolution photos taken on the trip *Solicited features and third party links will not be accepted. For full T&Cs go to AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel
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12 | Travel
20 - 26 August 2013
Postcards from Australia
n
Haylee and her husband are currently driving around Down Under. Follow along with their highlights from the road in this series of Postcards From Australia.
Includes free unlimited booze on the road. Huge party event in every city. By Haylee Slater
6
travel with
5 4
3
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1. VALENCIA, SPAIN
6. BERLIN, GERMANY
2. BARCELONA, SPAIN
7. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
3. PARIS, FRANCE
8. BUDAPAST, HUNGARY
4. BRUGES, BELGIUM
9. MUNICH, GERMANY
5. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
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ENDING AT
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Our first stop this morning is at the Howard Springs chemist. One of the keen pleasures of living in a car is the amount of exposure one has to the elements. What began as a simple cold has now developed into a ribbreaking cough. I pour a raspberry flavoured syrup into the bottle lid and knock it back as we drive toward Kakadu National Park. 31kms along the Arnhem Highway we begin to spot signs for leaping crocodile cruises and bounce down a dirt road to the first tour operator we find. Buffalo wade in mud pools cooling off in the heat. The croc tours operate out of a small shed directly on the Adelaide River. There is a selection of pythons to hold and touch. As I had lathered my skin in 50+ to protect my skin, I am unable to hold one. Unbeknownst to me, sunscreen can be absorbed through the snakes’ skin and kill them. The walls are lined with clipped articles of the many fatal crocodile attacks in the river we are
about to launch onto. Comforting. The boat only travels 200m before we see our first crocodile. A fourmetre female, she nudges the boat awaiting a chunk of buffalo. Jess, our tour guide explains the mechanics of a death-roll and informs us the crocodile launching itself towards our boat is capable of turning a grown man to jelly for slow digestion. Crocs are attracted to vibrations in the water and splashes only bring out more of the man-eaters. We are also told that if we fall in we are better off floating than swimming. Any movement would act like a Big-Mac ad: ‘Eat Me’. On our cruise we also meet ‘Stumpy’ — a five-metre male, and ‘Hannibal’ — a six-metre monster with a suspiciously bloated stomach. He sun bakes on the riverbank digesting a fully-grown cow. Despite the terrifying possibility of being eaten alive, we have a perfect day. The water is muddy and completely opaque. The trees lining the bank are full of screeching corellas and the sun is blinding and hot.
Professional Life | 13
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the Expat factor
Extraordinary Aussies in the UK
As a Chevening Scholar at the London School of Economics, Cal Viney came to the UK to engage in rigorous academic study in the field of Public Law. His London experience has led him to ask important questions about the meaning our Australian identity from the perspective of an expatriate. He has co-founded the London Steering Committee of the Australian Republican Movement in order to allow Australian expats to engage in this important debate.
The biggest difference between Australia and the UK has plainly been the acceptance of academic debate in the UK. In my undergraduate years in Australia, academic debate was shunned for a base level commercial approach to university training that I sometimes worry is symptomatic of a wider Australian cultural approach to debating politics and philosophy (or rather, the severe lack thereof). Conditioned as I was to this drive for commercially efficient thinking, the rigorously philosophical approach to advanced education at the LSE, and the acceptance – indeed expectation – that both formal and informal discussions are to traverse the contours of philosophy, politics and history, was quite a liberating cultural shock. What do I miss about Australia? Firstly, the wide open spaces. Then the insatiable optimism and positive spirit of our people; the feeling that we are all working together to build a truly great southern land, and that our best days are well and truly ahead of us, as we charge towards the Asian Century and all the incredible
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I moved to the UK midway through 2012. Like many fellow antipodean lawyers, I’ve always harboured a deep desire to study in the UK – it is almost a rite of passage for common law jurisdiction lawyers. I started thinking seriously about further study in the UK while working as a lawyer in Melbourne. I was lucky enough to be awarded the 2012/13 Chevening Scholarship for Australia, an international scholarship scheme run by the UK government, to undertake a Masters in Law specialising in Public Law at the London School of Economics. Being a member of the Chevening Scholarship cohort has been a life changing experience. The program brings together an incredible array of young leaders, thinkers and activists from right across the world. Developing lasting friendships with people from places like Tunisia, Egypt, Brazil, Russia, Malaysia and even these little islands apparently called New Zealand, has been the absolute highlight. Of course, the experience has not been without challenges – listening to the stories of some of my colleagues has reminded me just how lucky we are, as Australians, to belong to a very prosperous, free and egalitarian nation. Meanwhile, studying at the LSE under the tutelage of some of the most preeminent public law thinkers in the world has challenged me in a very academically rigorous way.
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Cal Viney
Lawyer, Chevening Scholar at LSE and young Republican opportunities that presents both to our nation and to the world. Unfortunately the flights are to prohibitively expensive and too long to have returned for a visit. I hope Richard Branson can get Virgin Galactic up and running, and offer tickets at competitive prices. Then I would be more tempted! Whilst in London I’ve co-founded the London Steering Committee of the Australian Republican Movement – a non-partisan organisation advocating an Australian republic and an Australian head of state. With some 300,000 Australians living in London, it would be foolish not to engage this most important cross section of Australians in a discussion about ‘Our Identity’. The ARM’s presence in the UK enables Australians with a medium to engage with other Australians on this most important of stories in our nation’s future. If the interest in our first event Being Australian (held in June this year) is anything to go by, plenty of fellow antipodeans are also interested in joining that conversation. I’m still working out what it means to be Australian in the UK. On the one hand, it means being the odd one out while watching the Ashes in a London pub, clinging to the commentary of Shane Warne for any semblance of balance! On the other hand, it means being like so many other people in London – a traveller, a foreigner from a distant land, here at the international cross roads of
the world, each plying our wares. I like that idea – that we are all at some old-world trading outpost, exchanging carpets, precious spices and metals and debating cultures and old ideas anew. My experience as a student, as a Chevener and as a Londoner living in the cultural mecca that is the East End has certainly reinforced this sense. Of course, being Australian per se, to me, means continuing the egalitarian project, but in a no-fuss way that we call the ‘fair go’. But here in London, I think that plays out in interesting ways. My favourite discovery in the UK has been the surfing at Cornwall. Who would have thought that such glassy, clean, perfect A-frames would break on a beach in the UK! Though freezing cold (even in the summer) this has been without doubt the most surprising and special discovery of my time here thus far. When I need to get out of the UK though, I head to Europe. Favourites have included Paris, Amsterdam, Germany and Portugal. Next on the agenda is a surf trip around the Basque country, before undertaking a short internship at a large consultancy in the UK, and then packing my bags for Canberra. For more information on the Australian Republican Movement see www.ouridentity.org.au, Twitter: @cal_viney. Email: calviney@me.com, Interview by Alex Ivett
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Dollar Review
Offshore data assists Aussie recovery By Anton van Teylingen The Aussie Dollar opened the week on the rise following the release of positive Chinese data. It challenged speculation that the powerhouse economy was on a downturn. Over the past week US data was received which steered the Aussie in its eventual direction. Tuesday saw the release of US retail figures that assisted the Greenback in its rally and saw the Aussie take a midweek slump. Friday evening brought another round of US data releases, however this time results were lower than analysts expectations, with monthly industrial production reporting zero percent growth for the month of July. Japan’s Economics minister, Akira Amari, confirmed that the Japanese Yen could see some recovery, in his statement mentioning that “the Japanese economy remains halfway through toward end of deflation”. Australia’s strong trading ties with Japan saw them ride the wake of this positive sentiment and strengthen further heading into the weekend.
The past week has seen offshore data assist the Aussie Dollar; however economists still believe that the currency is expected to weaken in the long run. Looking ahead, the RBA is due to meet on Tuesday morning to release minutes after the interest rate cut decision two weeks ago, this will provide more insight into the discussions about future decisions. Chinese manufacturing PMI data is also due for release early Thursday with analysts expecting positive figures to serve as an early indicator for further economic health.
Exchange rates GBP/AUD: 1.698 EUR/AUD: 1.447 USD/AUD: 1.086 NZD/AUD: 0.885 10:30 GMT, 19 August 2013
Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to or from Australia then please register/login on our website, or call us on 0808 141 2335 for a live dealing rate. Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alert when the Australian exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for.
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Sport | 15
AustralianTimes.co.uk
In2Touch summer finals circus rolls into London town By Jessica Powell Roll up, roll up! Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages… welcome to the greatest finals week on earth. That’s right; it’s that time of the season again. Finals week has once again come into London town. Not only will the pitches and parks across London be dazzled by an amazing array of the finest touch rugby skills, but they will be done so hand in hand with the amazing costumed help of the circus theme. So, if in passing Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common or King Georges Park, Putney/Wandsworth at all next week, feel free to stop and watch the magic of the circus of touch unfold. Finals week brings out the best competitive nature in all players, with everyone willing to jump through hoops just for that taste of finals glory. Having clocked up 280 minutes of touch this season, will that be enough for our reigning champs to once again smell the sweet scent of victory,
or will they be sent home with their clown hats down? Though 40 minutes may seem like a long time, in the world of sport that can pass in the blink of an eye. Just like a flying trapeze artist, one drop can be game over. Making every second count, it is those split second decisions that can make or break a game. With many old rivals setting foot onto the pitch next week, this summer 2013 finals week is set to ‘wow’ and ‘thrill’ like never before. Fighting it out in the finals will be two especially old Clapham Common rivals, with the game definitely set to be a ‘grudge match’. Last time The Misfits played Chilli Sauce, they only went down by one touchdown in the final moments. This game will draw the eye more than a monkey on a bicycle and spectators will be on the edge of their seat. After our finals week, the action for this year isn’t over yet. With the remainder of 2013 set to be bigger and better than ever with our Late Summer Leagues, Autumn
THE
Round 21
By Will Denton
Competitions, Active Touch and September Shoot-outs happening in many venues across London. With 16 venues around England from Clapham Common and Regents Park to St Albans and Manchester, and over 600 teams playing in the London leagues alone and over 1,000 teams playing country wide, touch rugby is taking the nation by storm. For more information or if you would like to register for an O2 Touch league or competition, go to www. in2touch.com/uk or e-mail info@ in2touch.com or call the London office on 020 85420827
Win rugby league tickets to the Tetley’s Challenge Cup at Wembley Watch Hull FC take on the Wigan Warriors in the Tetley’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 24 August 2013. Tetley’s, synonymous with the brewing of high quality ales for almost 200 years and title sponsor of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup, is offering one lucky fan the chance to win a pair of tickets to one of the most sought after games of the Rugby League season. The Challenge Cup is Rugby League’s most historic and
IeNts W k Tic
prestigious competition; 94 teams have battled it out to book their place at the final at Wembley Stadium. Don’t miss your chance to join them. To win tickets go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/win
With just two rounds of regular season remaining, the light at the end of the tunnel spells blinding relief for a fair chunk of the AFL teams. These teams are just craving for it all to be over so a reassessment of life choices can commence (you know who you are). Some, however fruitless it appears to be, are still wishing the season would just roll on and on, thinking ‘this footy gig is sweet!’ The Bulldogs and the Kangaroos both epitomise this, playing with free abandon, frivolity and dare I say it, pure joy. Even some goalless defenders were chiming in with some goal scoring glory. It’s taken them all year to reach this blissful crescendo; it’s just such a shame that it’s all for doughnuts. They’re done. The hard bit will be continuing this rich vein of form into next year. So with the final eight pretty much sewn up, barring Essendon getting sanctioned but let’s be real here, this whole saga looks like wrapping up, I dunno, sometime during the next Ice Age. The Dons are playing like it too, as the self-penalising continues. The Hawks on the other hand, took great glee and satisfaction in putting a halt to Collingwood’s good form, as well as firming a grasp on top spot. Cyril was back to his mercurial
RUBDOWN enigmatic best; at times it was if he was controlling the ball via telekinesis. Richmond disappointed as only Richmond can, buckling under the enormous weight of yellow and black expectation. Maybe it was the loss they needed to shake the foundations but it will have plenty of long suffering fans re-experiencing those cold, agonising flashbacks that have somewhat been subdued this year. They will probably finish fifth so it’s definitely not microwave time just yet; unlike the Dees who gave up on footy months ago. A crowd of little over 13,000 turned out to see another listless flogging at the hands of Freo. The Melbourne cheer squad had little option but to raise the newly created banner ‘Oh God make it stop’ by three-quarter time. The Dockers however are charging towards uncharted territory themselves, locking up a top four berth. Sydney also stamped their position as a top four side in demolishing the Saints. It’s easy to forget that just three seasons ago St Kilda played off in two Grand Finals. The Cats crushed any chance the Eagles had of sneaking into the top eight, ending this contest about three minutes into it. By quarter time she was well and truly dusted. Yep, Geelong are still a hungry, scary side. So, the only things of interest with two rounds to go are; final positions within the eight, whether the Bombers are gonski or if Mick Malthouse remembers where his keys are.
Tagquila Shots Win 2013 London Tag Rugby Championships
Inaugural World Club 7s tournament ends in Brumbies victory ...continued from p16 Cox scored the first try of the match collecting the ball in his own half before running past two defenders and scoring in the right hand corner. Despite being held on to by two defenders Speight had enough power to get himself over the line to claim his third try of the day. However, Auckland began the second half much brighter and Hala, who scored a hat-trick against San Francisco in their quarter-final match, scored with four minutes remaining to give his side hope. And the New Zealand side were soon in the lead as Hala grabbed the ball from the kick off and went down under the posts. But there was just enough time left for one last play and Speight stepped up, dividing Auckland’s defence with ease, to sprint over the line and ensure Brumbies clinched the trophy. And Auckland captain Orene Ai’i admitted his young side will learn a lot from their first visit to Twickenham. “It was a good game we knew it was
going to be tough,” he said. “The Brumbies are a great outfit and they just came out and put the pressure on us. “We had to play catch up rugby and when you do against a team like the Brumbies it’s going to be a tough day. “I’m pretty proud of the boys. A lot of the young boys it was thier first 7s experience and to play at Twickenham is an opportunity they will never forget. “I said to them I’m proud of their efforts and they’ll only be better for it. “Kali [Hala] played really well and also young Sinclair [Dominkouich-M] but all the young boys sticked up. They’re all going to be great players in the future.” “I think this tournament’s only going to grow and it’s a tournament to look for in the future.” In the third-place playoff Premiership side Harlequins were seen off by Argentine outfit Buenos Aires 31-7. Captain Lucas Alcacer stole the show with a brilliant offload to Ezequiel Valy to start the scoring before touching down himself. And after he put the game beyond
doubt with his second try Gonzalo Gutuerrez Taboda added another while Henry Cheeseman got a consolation for Quins.
WORLD CLUB 7s FINAL STANDINGS
1. ACT Brumbies (Cup Winners) 2. Auckland 3. Buenos Aires 4. Harlequins 5. New York City Sevens (Plate Winners) 6. Gloucester Rugby 7. VVA Saracens Moscow Region 8. San Francisco 9. Kuban Krasnodar (Shield Winners) 10. Vodacom Blue Bulls 11. DHL Western Province 12. Northampton Saints
Bledisloe Cup hopes rest on Saturday's match ...continued from p16
you just want more and more from them.” Hooper admitted the Kiwis had a psychological edge after dominating the Bledisloe series for so long but said that came with its own baggage. “They’ve held the cup for the last 10 years or so so there’s definitely a bit of that.
“In saying that, they’ll be nervous about losing it and we really want it. “We’ve got two games now to claw it back and it’s going to be tough over there but this group’s hungry for success.” Hooper hoped McKenzie would retain the same line-up, giving new combinations another week to gel. Like many Australian fans, he wanted to see the Wallabies back three of Jesse Mogg, Israel Folau and
James O’Connor get more involved. Code-jumping winger Folau barely touched the ball. “We had a good game plan to take these guys on,” said Hooper. “Obviously we’ve got plenty of talent back there. “You want to see those guys with ball in hand, I know I do. “They’ve got x-factor written all over them and they’re the guys who can score and finish tries.” - AAP
THE much anticipated 2013 London Tag Rugby Championships took place on Saturday 17 August at East London RFC. 42 teams took part, playing 136 matches under 17 referees across nine pitches; a UK record for an adult tag rugby tournament. The Champions league was an invitational division, with invites only going out to A grade teams who have made a final throughout 2013. The best teams in the UK battled it out in a hotly contested league, with multiple cracking matches throughout that were won by only 1-2 point margins. Special guests, the Ireland Barbarians, consisting of Ireland national rep players, made it through to the final to take on the perennial bridesmaids, Tagquila Shots, who were yet to win a title this year but have been runners up on numerous occasions. In a thrilling final that could have gone either way, Tagquila Shots lifted to the occasion and ran out 4-3 victors with inspirational Aussie, Patrick Wright, producing some sensational form to win both the Champions league player of the final and player of the tournament awards. The men’s division was won by the touring Tongan men’s o/30s national team who defeated London’s best
men’s team, Tag Me Maybe 2-1 in a nail biting final. The Tongans will now take on the Great Britain men’s o/30s on Tuesday 20 August at East London RFC before departing for Ireland to take on the Ireland national team. The social division was taken out by Shoreditch Parks Tokyo Drift who were in amazing form and went through this division undefeated. Attention now turns to the Autumn leagues which start next week from 27 August onwards at 11 venues across London which include; Battersea Park, Borough, Highbury, Tooting Bec (all Monday), Shoreditch Park (Tuesday), Finsbury Park, Rotherhithe, Shoreditch Park, White City (all Wednesday), Barnes, Highbury (both Thursday), Clapham Common (Saturday) and Hyde Park (Sunday). Some leagues are nearing capacity so register ASAP to avoid missing out on your preferred venue. New team and individual registrations are welcome. If you would like to get involved in a Try Tag Rugby competition before the big cold comes back to London, go to www.trytagrugby.com or email info@ trytagrugby.com for more details.
THE
RUBDOWN
Light at the end of the tunnel
P15
SPORT
BRUMBIES BRILLIANCE n
The Inaugural World Club 7s Twickenham tournament ends in ACT Brumbies victory.
By Steve Bond Henry Speight said he was delighted to end the ACT Brumbies season with victory at the World Club 7s after an enthralling final with Auckland at Twickenham on Sunday. Speight scored twice to inspire the Australian’s to a 17-14 victory over their southern hemisphere rivals in the inaugural edition of the tournament. Brumbies, who had been 12-5 and a
man down in their quarter final clash against Moscow, got off to the perfect start as Tom Cox slid over the line early on. Speight then grabbed his first of the match but Auckland’s Kali Hala took the second half by storm scoring twice in two minutes to hand his side the lead. However, with the last kick of the game, Speight raced clear of the Auckland defence to secure the title and he dedicated the victory to his
teammates back in Australia. “It means a whole lot to win this. It’s not only for us but for the whole Brumbies team back in Canberra,” he said. “We’ve been though the whole season together and it’s great to end on a good note and take some silverware home. “We went into that game just thinking of playing for each other and playing for the jersey. “Against a tough team like Auckland,
to get over them early is a massive confidence boost. “I was fortunate to be on the end of some good passing and some good work by the other guys and it’s all about taking opportunities. “The set up has been great and the quality of the sevens has been incredible and we’re building something great with this World Club 7s.” ...continued on p15
The World Club 7s tournament provided a fitting end to the ACT Brumbies season, with a thrilling final against Auckland ending in the Aussies favour 17-14.
Hooper says Wallabies are on the rise
THE Wallabies believe a win over the All Blacks in Wellington will buy them time they need to fulfill their potential under new coach Ewen McKenzie before a deciding Test in October. After being humbled 47-29 in Sydney, Australia must beat the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday night to keep alive any hope of wresting back the Bledisloe Cup, which they haven’t held since 2002. They then don’t face New Zealand again until after the end of the Rugby Championship, meeting in a third Cup clash on Oct 19 in Dunedin. Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper believes the team will continue to improve significantly under McKenzie in that time, potentially setting up a mouthwatering decider. “It’s one game this weekend and then we don’t meet the All Blacks until the end of the Championship, so to get this win and then go into a decider is really exciting,” said Hooper. “We’re going to grow as a group so if we can get a win this weekend it will be massive for us.” The 21-year-old, who was voted the Australian players’ player of the game after the ANZ Stadium match, said the Wallabies had taken confidence from their performance despite the heavy loss. He said their focus had to be on better ball retention after handing their opponents too many attacking opportunities which they fully capitalised on. Hooper, who also announced he had re-signed with NSW and the Australian Rugby Union until 2016, said he believed the Australian pack had the ability to dominate the All Blacks and they needed to up their work-rate. “We have a good mobile pack and I feel like we can exploit that and really get over the gain line. “We’re mobile and get through a lot of carries. “Hugh McMeniman, Kevvie (James Horwill) and Simmo (Rob Simmons) are all big guys but they keep getting up, keep making tackles, ...continued on p15