ttbn,

"...They spell Labour properly in the UK, unlike our semi-literate brand of socialists."

As a lover of English, I can't let that pass,

'Labor' is the English spelling enshrined, as are many other English words, in everyday American.

'Labour' is a French influenced word as was 'Doctour' in its day; fortunately, we have reverted to the English spelling of the latter.

The Australian Labor Party adopted the formal
name in 1908 - as The Australian Labour Party
but changed the name in 1912 to The Australian
Labor Party. The party was influenced by the
US Labor movement. American born - King O'Malley
influenced the spelling to have it changed and
"modernised." So there are historical reasons for
the spelling.

Then you could also argue that Australia is in
the Southern hemisphere so an great deal of
things appear "upside down" and a bit strange.

The name Liberal was chosen deliberately for its
association with 19th century progressive social equality
and services.

Perhaps that needs to be re-examined.

how did Islanders get fresh water before diesel generators ?
Loudmouth,
On some of the larger, continental islands rainwater lasted long enough to get them through. The smaller coral cays islands were fairly tough during the drier months. Giant clam halves were placed against trees so that the dew running down the trunk collected in the shells.
There was just sufficient drinkable water in that shallow lens you refer to. Then, as wells were introduced, windmills were used for a number of years until the lenses became depleted.
For the past 25 years, large 5-25 ML plastic lined/covered storage lagoons have been in use which for the past 15-18 years have been replenished by desalination. As housing & general living standards improved, water consumption has gone up 100 fold.
Much water is consumed by Govt staff both permanent & transient. Traditional PNG visitors are now being asked to cut the stays short because of water usage.

Foxy,

Australian English has always been the same as British English. You are right about the change, though, which says a lot about the union movement - so many Brit-hating Irish.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/murdoch-pulls-foxtel-out-of-the-financial-fire-20190514-p51n9u.html
IS MISE! not very bright that comment, years ago LABOR changed its name to LABOR
So Saturday night have no doubt, the incoming government can spell and its name is LABOR
Bazz talked about Fox/Sky I told him about what the link had to say so posted it to let him see
Selling rotten raw fish outside Macas at lunch time,seems not to be working out for them

Dear Individual,

«Traditional PNG visitors are now being asked to cut the stays short because of water usage.»

What a pity: had their water-bottles not been confiscated at the airports, they could bring their own water and stay longer!

Whom can we vote for to stop this madness?