[thorn bird]

Cap'n,
Its interesting to note that in the USA almost 80% of private pilots hold instrument ratings, against
around 20% in Australia. An instrument rating in the USA does not carry the very expensive impediment
of the costs of unrealistic over regulation nor recurrency requirements imposed upon the holder of an IF rating in Australia.
Its very simple to gauge a comparison of cost between the US and Australia.
A simple brows around charter operators in the US reveals that their hourly charge out rate, i.e. cost plus profit, is way less than the operating cost of the same aircraft in Australia. This would suggest that the cost of operating in the US, no matter if its private or commercial is cheaper than Australia,way cheaper.
It is not to much of a stretch to assume that if flying is cheaper in the US because the regulatory burden does not soak up vast amounts of money, private pilots get to fly more and are therefore far more "current" than their Australian brethren. The old axiom "Practice makes Perfect" I believe is so true.
I'd love to see some statistical comparisons between the average hours per year for a US private pilot against an Australian PPL.
Its very difficult to regulate nor educate against inadvertent or deliberate entry into IMC by private pilots. Far better to make it attractive and cost effective for them to upskill with sensible regulation.