There is some logic to this as what is really happening is that the cost of our infrastructure is moving from a government expense to an aircraft owner expense.
Sort of agree but its not government money, its the users. The unfortunate reality in Australia is that the airways are not a Govt funded service for the benefit of everybody. They are a profit making user pays service. Aircraft owners/operators pay for ASA's equipment as well as their own. Most of the users will be better off because that get a better service, a few will be well and truly financially shafted to enable this.
As for why we are doing this before the US, thats been answered several times in this thread.