What if NZ and Australia 'joined'

[Adamal]

Just wondering what everyones reaction would be if it were decided that NZ and Australia would 'join' to become one country.

IE. Same currency, same governemt, no passport required to travel between them, etc etc.

What do you see as the positives and negatives of it? Do you think it would never happen, or would it be something that is inevitable?

[Emperor]

Aslong as we got australias wage

[fivebob]

After working in Aus for the last 10 years I can say without a doubt you don't want a common government, but a common currency is probably a good idea.

[Bling]

NZ is fine how it is I think, no need to become more like aussie imo

no passports isn't the best idea with who knows how many criminals would be jumping on the plane over to here (crims going the other way is fine tho )

Having a NZ passport means you can travel whenever you want and move there easy as anyways.

How would the combined currency work? seeing as ours is worth a TAD less

[pc]

Where would the Tasman sea go to?

Seriously... why?

[AE86less]

Just a combined currency wouldn't be great, it would need a combined government (Haven't been to Aus since I was 11 so no comment on their system).

A large proportion of our export and tourism markets are successful because we are cheap to visit and buy from. My Dad's income is determined by the strength of the NZD (tourism).

[pureadrenalin]

We would become the "welfare state" of australia if we joined them. Just like Tasmania is.
All the youth of the state leave to go to the big centers to find work.
Most of the universitys in NZ would turn to crap as everyone went to sydney and melbourn to study an they would end up staying there rather than coming home to live. (how many people do you know that went to auckland/wellington to study and never left. Dosn't happen to dunners because who wants to live there? )

Currency is a different matter tho. We could have a "pacific" currency almost. Much like the euro.

[Adoom]

Yeh! What Pete said.
And the children would be hideous.

[Adamal]

I think a lot of Kiwi's would feel as if we were loosing our 'independance' as people. Aside from the political/economical changes, theres also the whole loyalty as a New Zealander thing.
Thats why I think it would still be an important thing to retain the country name of New Zealand, but on an unspoken level, just be another 'state' of Australia.

Its interesting to see everyones opinions and ideas on the matter though, keep em coming!

[RomanV]

What made you think of this?

It's too unlikely-er an idea for me to be bothered thinking about it.

(In before "But you think about getting laid all time")

[Adamal]

Was just an idea that cropped up in my head. I have lots of crazy ideas all the time

This one though could just be related to what I think of the coutry's currnet state of affirs.
I always tend to get political around election time

[MR2SIK]

as long as their wages and girls come over here

[rolla_fxgt]

It won't ever happen, the economics of it just don't stack up for having a common monetary policy.
And besides they don't want us to be a drain on their economy, look at how much west Germany has had to put in to east Germany to get it up to scratch.

The only way it would happen is if we got invaded by someone & Aussie had to come in & save our ass. It would be the quid pro quo for us being so stingy on defence for the last while

[UZZ30]

Haha, Australia would cringe at the idea, and I woulnt blame them!

[Adamal]

Yea, probably better to hop the ditch, which is what I'm going to be doing if Labour win again

[UZZ30]

Exactly!

Still Australia is not without their small issues, as with any place today...

But first it will be a step in the 'Right' direction if National does get in, weather or not any key beneficial changes arise to change the country will be the next question.

[RomanV]

[AE86less]

RomanV strikes again.

[Adamal]

All the people I know who have moved over there don't have any complaints

And Kiwi's have a tendancy to bitch about Ozzies, but I remember the first time I went over there and was surprised at how much nicer they are.
The way some Kiwi's go on, you'd think the Ozzies were next in the evil line behind the Nazi's

[RomanV]

All the people I know who have moved over there don't have any complaints

Do any of these people enjoy driving cars, by any chance?

I'm not sure if you frequent toymods all that often, but trying to get my head around what some of their rules and regulations are does my head in.

Section C, subclause 10.105: Vehicle modifications during supernatural events.
"Vehicle may not be lowered during a full moon, by more than 0.5% of the resonant wavelength of wolf's howl.
Exceptions will be granted in exceptional circumstances, in which case MOF, WOF, TOF, COF, and BOF certification must be sent to transylvania to by signed by count dracula within the aforementioned timeframe"