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> Maybe 'mate' does too, but it always seemed like a neutral, friendly word.

It can be negative, definitely, if said with the right intonation.

I think in both British and Australian English, it's what you call someone when you are a hair's breadth away from walloping them.

The word mate can be used both positively and negatively, but is predominately used positively. One of Australia's core values is 'mateship'.

You will be surprised to find that Champ is the word Aussies will use when unimpressed. For instance, "You alright there Champ?" means " You absolute idiot, what in the hell are you thinking?"

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