I think it is an offence for a VFR aircraft to even file a flight plan that comes within 2 miles of controlled airspace. Given that and:
(a) CASA hates small airplanes and private pilots, and
(b) there are criminal penalties for contravening regulations, and
(c) CASA is known to be capricious, vindictive and vicious (ask Glen Buckley).
Why would any private pilot not minimise their use of controlled airspace?
It’s not so bad when one is exceedingly familiar with a region and knows the choke points(for example West Gate Bridge is now C above 1500ft.), but why would you try using controlled airspace in unfamiliar territory perhaps in deteriorating weather?
Can we see how this safety equation kills people?
Unforgiving airspace + unfamiliarity and lack of effective training + fear of prosecution + lack of alternative airports + confusing regulation capriciously enforced + deteriorating weather = recipe for accidents