Used to get this problem going into Perth all the time, especially after doing a star onto RW03 and then the visual procedure which puts you on a 5 mile final via a wide left base, ATC descend you to the Radar LSA at around 10 miles which was about 2600' or so, and then clear you for a visual approach which effectively left you at 2600' for a 5 mile final, since the MSA is 3000'.
I don't agree calling Visual at 28 miles makes you a " bloody idiot" although for other reasons it sounds like this paticular individual was. One could argue that ATC should know " the simple" Visual approach procedures and not leave us high and dry.