What often happens in Australia is that when ATC "offer" no speed restriction below 10,000 on descent, some macho fliers accept this as some sort of challenge to their flying skills and play games on how late they can leave it at high speed (320 knots plus) before pulling the speed brakes and getting configured for final. The flight safety origin of the 250 knots "rule" is simply laughed off as wimpy.
But thank you so far for the excellent replies on the history behind the 250 knots restriction - it puts things in perspective.