Just for the record, the word mate, so abused by Jonx, has it's origins in the outback of Australia during the dfficult and terrible pioneering years when men and women helped each other out in the face of drought, plagues of flies and other great hardships.

In the Australian context, perhaps. In actual fact it's a word that was used for centuries and is still used regularly by British/Irish (but especially English) working class society. 

I'd say the difference in its Australian use is the fact that it's used across all stratums of society especially, but  not now exclusively, amongst males.As Australia is ( and always has been) a much more male dominated society compared to other Western countries " mateship" became, and still is, a badge of honour, a source of national pride.So now it has political connotations as well as social ones.I think one ex PM ( Hawke maybe?) called for " mateship" to be recognised in any future Oz constitution.

By virtue of its continual use for centuries, though, it's very much a British term as well as a "Johnny come lately" Australian term. heheheh, I love Oz bashing in any way I can, just as much as Oz's love Pom bashing and I've got Irish in me too.It came about from OZ premie interaction  online. Before that I had no real beef : )Well not bashing, maybe more bubble popping.

One thing we are agreed on, though,Jonx is abusing the word with his childish, riduculous efforts to throw it in the mix at every opportunity. It's just over the top, ludicrous and, worst of all, grating.