If you want to work the system, get to know it - go and visit the ATC cell at Sydney and see what they have to contend with, ask questions.
Hear hear! Pilots are always welcome to visit our facilities, just ring up and ask to come, don't just turn up our you'll get the same response as to your clearance; come and have a look in the afternoon or morning peak; not at 1000-1500 to really appreciate what the hell we do.
Staff shortages are significant; Sydney radar has been TIBA a few times in the last month; this happens when we are 3 short; not one short.
Whilst you may be flying in 'deserted' airspace you still have to monitored away from the other bits of fast moving tubes; and the urban areas re MSAW etc. Not doing this gets us in a whole heap of sh!t; just see the Bennalla six thread.
Imagine for a second that you ran your C182 into the top of the coat hangar; and your low altitude was visible for 1nm prior to hitting it; SY comes to a standstill; possible act of terrorism, roads closed, etc; all cause the ATC was unable to monitor you; who's in the poo eventually? Yes the ATC; when their actual priority is to the RPTs landing at the nations busiest airport it's easy to see why the occasional sightseer gets knocked back.