O/T but this is not a true statement, tipping is not mandatory and Australians have differing views on tipping but plenty do tip up to 10% for good service (has to be good). Indeed some high end restaurants add service automatically, Arras is a good example of one that does (8%).

Not intending this to be a debate about the merits of tipping (plenty of other places on FT to that) just want to be clear that a blanket statement like the above is not valid.