flankers refused

i was reding a article in a magazine about the Avalon Airshow that said that sukkoi would bring some flankers to australia for RAAF pilot to take a ride but the offer was rejected by canberra politicans i was wondering what your opinion on this and if you think any western nation you have the guts to chose a russian jet. I also read that when australia choses a new fighter one of the major facters will be the exchange rate between australia and the U.S and Aus and Europe is this a good way to chose a jet.
A.T Thanks