Eclan - I disagree with your comment.
Yes, going 70nm out of the way to dodge thunderstorms, especially during the build-up or The Wet, does happen (often).
Yes, FZL can be below LSALT in Australia. Within the past month, I canned an IFR flight heading West from Orange, FZL at 5700, LSALT at 6100. (Couldn't go VFR, viz was 250m, cloud base 300 feet). I'm told also happens in Tassie / Vic (particularly in winter) but I have little experience there.
Mick - are you sure this isn't "Back When I Was a Boy, everything was rosy...?"