Luke...
1) Its not identical cos its not JAA (letters, not value, I know...)
2) Everything is cheaper down under, including people
3) Fixed base 737 sims are rare in Europe (check out this weeks Flight Intl). The JAR TR will be 50 hrs+ on a full class D sim - this is actually the main difference.
I wont tell you to grow up, but I think you may be "tired and emotional" perhaps.... cos you probably know all of the above, and being a wannabee you know life is not fair already
p.s. how did your mate get on the ESY TRSS/CTC scheme. How many hours, when did he go for interviews, etc......