I'm happily ex-Australian.
Australia is a great place if you love the idea of being a 'working class hero', and if you're addicted to mediocrity. If, however, you move out of that norm, and start making some real money, things get nasty really quickly. Society in general hates (or, resents) you because you have more than 'them', and the government steals at least 60% of your money to support others who couldn't be f**ked working. Couldn't be f**ked working in large part because they don't have to, because the government initiates the use of force against people who have in fact grabbed themselves by the balls and done something, and steals most of it from them to give to the lazy bastards.
Also, FWIW, on the topic of 'boat people', I don't think people that risk their lives, and those of their family, traveling across oceans in crappy old boats do so in order that they may 'live for free', rather, they do so to get access to opportunity to better themselves. Don't underestimate the power and determination of someone who wakes up each day truly appreciating what they have, including the opportunity that freedom itself brings.
To answer your question though, OP, if Australia was free of it's poverty mentality and addiction to mediocrity, I'd gladly live on the Gold Coast (QLD) again. The weather is amazing, and the surroundings are pretty damn nice too. $10k a month and you'll live comfortably.