How is it worse than what we had? I've done the same as you and driven around for 2 months before realizing the rego was expired. Difference was, I had the bloody sticker on the windscreen anyway.
As for purchases, I've bought easily 100 cars with rego and never been burned. The new website linked directly into the RMS allows you to check rego expiry with absolute certainty (a sticker can be altered or reprinted).
As for not getting anything for your rego money, you still get to drive on the road. Isn't that the main point?