Desist joining base - fly at least one metre of the downwind leg, then join base
If you do so make sure you broadcast joining very, very late downwind so that other pilots can optimise their visual scan to spot you (or just have the balls and be honest by broadcasting joining base).
If CASA starts prosecuting pilots from recordings of the CTAF where pilots broadcast joining base the end result will be that most of the pilots that currently join base will continue to do so but will either broadcast incorrect details or say absolutely nothing - great safety improvement.
And for those sanctimonious IFR pilots out there - remember in VMC CAR 166 generally requires you to fly three legs of the circuit if you can't comply with the requirements for a straight in approach. VMC is clearly defined in the AIP (as legislated by the CARs) - minimum distance from cloud and minimum visibility - so it can be pitch black in rain under a solid overcast on a moonless night with no visible ground lighting apart from the runway lights and it is still legally VMC (definitely not smart conditions to attempt to fly VFR) and you are legally required to comply with the above circuit entry procedures.
The really bad news is CAR 166 is one of the regulations with strict liability attached - this means that even if the only permitted ways of joining the circuit are downright dangerous (dark night, restricted visibility, low cloud base, terrain requirements etc) and you join using an alternate and far safer method you can still be prosecuted.
IMHO, the biggest problem with CAR 166 is it applies the same requirements to a busy training airfield, to an airfield with no circuit traffic and limited operations, to an aerodrome with RPT operations, to a basic strip that is only used by agricultural aircraft. Even CASA has acknowledged to some extent that this one solution fits all does not work by issuing exemptions to parts of CAR 166 for ALL seaplanes.