Skeeve, I think you are stressing this point too far.

Dean has absolutely no right to tell you how you build your network.  I wouldn't dream of having an opinon, either.  And I strongly oppose APNIC getting involved in your network design at all.

But an ASN is not used for "your" network.  It is used to connect to others.  If it was only your network you were concerned about, you can use the ASN number I was allocated.  Or make up your own ASN. 

If you do decide to connect to "the Internet", you have to listen to what other players say.  I do not have a policy on how my customers at my DC build their networks, but if they want to transit me, they MUST apply BCP38, or else.  Some lie, forget to maintain it, turn it off later, etc.