A Brain Teaser Perhaps

Okies, have just gotten off the phone with my best friend, and we argued. Not about the ex or anything - which is a change, but about citizenship.

I am a New Zealander in Australia right? A few years ago, New Zealanders could just pop across the ditch (shorthand in this part of the world for Tasman sea) and be considered just like Australians, ie get the dole and public medical care etc. Then because so many Kiwis live in Australia (half a million I think) the rules were tightened up. New Zealanders are still the only nationality that can work here without work visas, but as for anything beyond that forget it.

For the first two years after coming to Oz, New Zealander's cannot get the unemployment benefit. And basically have to sell your first born for proof to the public medical system that you are sticking around for long enough for the taxes the state gets off you and the money you use in healthcare even out. Need four types of evidence at least it seems - I have one at this stage.

So my best friend was saying that oh why don't you become an Aussie citizen - it's fairly easy to do and all, and it would solve some of your problems. First off, that sounds a very mercenary solution - although I could be a dual Australian and New Zealand citizen, at this point I don't have that burning desire that Australia is going to be home anytime in the future. Let me rephrase, it may be where I live, but it will never be 'home'.

Secondly, it would feel like I was cheating, that I was not becoming an Australian for good reasons, but just to do the system in. It would feel very awkward I think. LOL, the acid test is if I am a dual citizen, I would still use my Kiwi passport instead of any Australian one - until that changed or at least got to fifty fifty hmm.

Does anyone know what I mean, cos my best friend sure as hell doesn't. Not to put her out or anything, but she has never travelled overseas, and hasn't had that occassional ache in the pit of your stomach or that catch in your throat when you think of your homeland. Or am I just talking crap here?

Grateful opinions please :)

PS - not quite right - if NZers need EMERGENCY care over here, ie public hospitals, that is covered - along with any hospital followup to these emergency cases... but elective surgery and GP and specialist visits, forget it