USA lets visiting Australian tech workers keep toiling while they wait for visa extensions

As long as it is reciprocal, and U.S. wishing to work in Australia can do the same thing. U.K. for example makes it extremely tough for a U.S. Citizen.

It is

I understand the E-3 was mostly due to the FTA and that, like the FTA, was reciprocal - ie Australian visa rules were similarly relaxed for American workers. Certainly the number of American engineers temporarily working in Australia during the boom would suggest it was not difficult.

Please read more carefully

The new rule clarification does *not* mean what this article says. It clarifies what already happens - that E-3 visa holders can work without separate authorisation. And it simplifies the renewal process. It does not allow Australians to obtain a visa without the employer getting an LCA. In fact, it does not mention LCAs at all.

EH, no. Quite simply the US is quietly trying to drive a greater population exchange between the US and Australia because of this http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-fuel-cycle/Uranium-Resources/Supply-of-Uranium/ and of course because of tens of thousands of kilometres of undeveloped beach front which will tolerate becoming underwater front much more readily (I mean to say, who wants to holiday at a tropical location high rise structures collapsing and leaving rubble all over the place or ghostly shells still standing, habitats of fish on the lowest level and the homeless on higher levels.

Odd thing happens in this, right wing Australians tend to drift to the US and left wing Americans tend to drift to Australia (right wingers also come from the US to Australia but if you dig into things, you find they leave after a while, they dislike being snubbed for demanding young Australians should get paid less and that being an overt bible basher demanded everyone worship their way also receives short shrift).

Overall this is still a major push for population exchange, not so much from the Australian government perspective but very, very much so from the US government perspective.

"being an overt bible basher demanded everyone worship their way also receives short shrift"

Bring an overt in-your-face bible basher in Australia may result in someone deciding that your face is the part that needs bashing - especially if you don't take it out of their face.

Australians are remarkably tolerant for the most part but trying to jam religion down anyone's throat after being told to stop is a fast way of ending up bruised.

FWIW, various religious groups have trumpeted church-attending christianity rates of around 30% in Australia and New Zealand but digging a little further into their "stats" finds that weddings/funerals/christenings and other "social" events are all counted for an attendance requirement of twice a year (as are easter/christmas services) - The real figure is probably lower than 5%.

IE: Australia & NZ are a couple of those almost completely secular "atheist hellholes" the religious nutters rave about and they like it that way. The general population also don't like it when people refuse to integrate with the greater population and will take steps to try and ensure they do.