Just a few points.

Trade unions are not necessarily democratic or progressive. It depends on how they are run.

Women have far more rights than men in Australia. They have far more government support, and the court system is heavily biased in their favor.

The loss of free education is a major cause of concern, and it came from the Hawk era with the introduction of compulsory HECS fees for university students. Australia has paid dearly for that ever since, with a loss of a skilled workforce. Hawk also introduced the totally corrupt, feminist and inhuman Family Law system, and when combined, the Family Law court and HECS fees have been the greatest hex on Australian society in modern times.

The loss of our environment is possibly Australia’s greatest tragedy, as we once had the most diverse and greatest environment in the world.

By my reckoning we breezed through this test. What’s is your point that Australia isn’t the country you want it to be. Big deal great over it. I may come as a surprise to you but it’s wasn’t setup for you it was setup for us and the are many different voices in Australia with different views, I think we do a fine job and balancing all of those views. Most of the western world does as a matter of fact. Are we perfect well on a whole no everyone will be able to point out things that could be better but we will not all agree on what they are and how to do them better. So unless your trying to say that your opinion is some how more correct then mine you pissing into the wind my Friend.

How we treat the most vulnerable in society should be a major gauge as to whether or not we are civilized. We fail dismally when it comes to the unborn. Thankfully we are a little bit better when it comes to looking after the elderly. The test that is in the article is typical socialist ABC crap.

Every Sperm is Sacred eh runner,Religous right crap.

Fantastic article.
We use the word 'civilised' as though its something we have already achieved. At the very least, it could become an aspiration.
When we are free from hunger, poverty, crime, police, servitude and war to list but a few, we can assume to sing out such large statements as 'We are a civilised nation'.
It would be a great legacy for the human race to achieve global civilisation.
I imagine in such a world, the comments posted on forums such as this would be articulate, designed from an informed and thoughtful position, respectful, non-abusive, positively challenging for any mind and generally... resolutely civilised in their intent, content and purpose.

In a Hobbesian "State of Nature" the powerful take what they want from the vulnerable. We define a civilised society as one that looks after the most vulnerable members of society.

Clearly Australia is becoming less civilised as
- infants and pre-school children are seen as profit centres for corporate childcare.
-The old age pension is being replaced by compulsory superannuation schemes managed by the for-profit life insurance industry which clearly rips off casual workers, and employees who change employers over the course of their working life [oh, to run the McDonalds super fund]
- we punish people who can't find enough work to sustain themselves, many people over 55 work as volunteers for 2 days per week as part of their mutual obligation so they can receive Newstart payments ie as their work-for-the-dole obligation
- a section of society argues that wealthy families should not access state education, so it is available for the poor
- the private health insurance companies argue that people with private health insurance should be denied access to our best hospitals ie the major public teaching hospitals
- corporate CEO remuneration is outstripping the growth in corporate profits while salaries are stagnating
- we engage in war to destroy the livilihoods of the inhabitants of the countries we invade