doesn’t surprise me – although AU is viewed by many as a “Western” nation those in power try very hard to be as “ruthlessly efficient” as its increasingly affluent SE Asian neighbours; sometimes to the point of viewing basic democracy as “excessively costly” or “less relevant” than many other people worldwide.
Its no coincidence that a lot of right wingers in the UK especially smaller business owners say that Britain should follow developments within its former empire/Commonwealth nations more closely than Europe as this is exactly what happens, commercial business is viewed as more valuable than public services or democracy in a similar fashion to the USA.
Paradoxically at the same time MY, ID, TH etc are desparately trying to reduce corruption in their domestic politics – SG’s elections have traditionally been the best out of the region and no worse (possibly better) than the UK standards, even if they still end up electing the eldest son of the last Prime Minister anyway….
