4 years ago Brisbane was rated the speed capital of the world. This was based upon the number of seizures and the purity percentage average of seized product. At around 25% this was almost double that of the next highest state (SA from memory)
Recently, national studies have reported that E has been used by 1 in 6 Australians. Perhaps this figure is higher now, or at least greater per head than other nations. Or maybe we are the only country with any figures to submit? In the past, because Australia has been somewhat behind the rest of the world in regards to drug and music trends, it has allowed many programs and studies to be in place when trend waves arrive. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Australia has managed to correlate data between state and federal departments to produce figures which would be impossible to do in countries where current restrictive policies make any comprehensive user study a logistic nighmare.
Even if figures weren't accurately presented, it doesn't take a genius to figure we would be right up there. Australians after all are known for their consumption
Look at beer, wine, tobacco, pharms, naughty foods, sex, old growth to real estate, clothing, cars, surf boards, bullets, water and of course anything daring, new or exciting. Known for squeezing the most from new fancies or possible party hours in a day, to many foreigners, to be an Austalian signifies all these things. Why should drugs be expected to be any different, particularly if this is simply a foreign buerocrat's prenotioned viewpoint?
However if tradition is anything to go by, good luck to anyone thinking they can change that image..