Will this rant help anything? Not in the slightest. But its off my chest. If marketing videos and voiceovers won wars, we would be untouchable..
You referenced the US in poor terms:
(It is very much the US style which I would argue is not the image we need to present to visitors.)
The last trip I did to the US (recent), I was through Customs in about 8 minutes, it was less than 10. Interesting to note that I have never had a problem with so called 'goon' TSA officers, in fact, you get more smiles and 'have a good day' from them than you will ever get in a month of Australian airport visits.
Yet again, it's the Australian way to make something 'critically important' and all about the show of power rather than just do the job. Australia is all about convincing the world they are the best at everything and that starts with brainwashing the employees that they are worlds best.