Bushy,
Why blame ATC? we are only applying the rules we are required to operate under. There are serious consequences if we deviate from them.
I may be quoting Chatz out of context here and apologies if I am. I think when he talks of
I find that I'm now working in conditions with greater freedom (which I have to say I don't particularly like overall, but like other aspects of it)
that he probably has more leeway to 'bend' the rules to keep the traffic moving and the regulations are not as slavishly adhered to.
e.g. Direct tracking IS NOT allowed in Oz unless for separation. i.e. even if we can see that there is no reason not to shorten an aircraft up we would have to justify a separation problem, if asked, to do this.
This may be what Chatz is alluding to. That the greater freedoms come from allowing the controllers to assess better ways of moving the traffic, but in some cases leaves the controller with no 'cover' if something goes pear shaped.