Australia's government is sick of telling citizens to behave overseas

The case of the "Budgie 9."
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Australia's government is sick of telling citizens to behave overseas
The Australian government wants its citizens to stop getting into trouble overseas. Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Dudes getting half-naked at sporting events is arguably an Australian "thing," but that doesn't make it a good thing -- especially in other countries.

Nine men are in jail after they stripped down to swimming briefs (a.k.a. "budgie smugglers") bearing the Malaysian flag, under the influence of alcohol at a Formula One race in Sepang on Sunday. And the Australian government are exasperated.

The group, mostly from well-connected families, could see themselves in jail for a maximum of two years if found guilty or be fined at the very least.


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On Wednesday morning, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made it very clear she was sick of being asked for help by Australian travellers who've done something stupid and got in trouble for it. Because (of course), what's considered acceptable behaviour varies across the world.

"This is another example of Australians travelling overseas and landing themselves in trouble with the laws of another country," Bishop told Today.

"They are facing certain charges, and what might be seen as a foolish prank or Aussie 'blokey' behaviour can be seen differently in another country."

She continued: "I constantly remind people, we can't bail you out if you get into trouble with the laws of another country. We can't interfere in the legal proceedings of another country," she said.

While Australia does provide plenty of consular and legal support to trouble-stricken citizens overseas, there are "limits to what we can do" -- with Bishop stressing that there are 15,000 consular cases a year.

"Our time and resources and efforts are very much under pressure," she said.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was more sympathetic, but maintained that being overseas means extra caution.

"You're in another nation, you've got to be careful in what you do," Joyce told reporters. "But I'm sure — well, I'm hoping — the Malaysians will understand that I don't think there's any real malice in it. Stupidity? Obviously. Malice? No."

Meanwhile, the front page of Australian newspaper, the Daily Telegraph leapt in support of the nine men in jail.

"To our dear, recalcitrant, humourless Malaysian friends... free the Budgie Nine," the headline reads.

That headline is accompanied with a logo, sporting the phrase "we come from the land Down Under."

Apart from the delicious pun, the attitude is perhaps proof why travelling Australians aren't always liked overseas. The word British word "Jafa" or "Just Another F*cking Australian" comes to mind.

It's expected the group of boys will learn their fate shortly, with no more than a fine to be expected, an Australian government source told Sky News political reporter Kieran Gilbert.

Whatever the outcome, it's another dogged example of Australians behaving badly while travelling and the government has had it up to *here.*

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Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

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