The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, released the latest intergenerational report last week. Like its five predecessors, the report puts lots of questions to us about how we can live fruitfully and sustainably on this unusual continent we occupy.
The report confirms that the average age of Australians will rise, that average family size will fall, and that we need to attract enough migrants to ensure there are sufficient workers and taxpayers to keep the joint running. Population growth via immigration is seen, therefore, as crucial to the nation's future. Dr Chalmers calculates by 2063 Australia is likely to reach a total of 40.5 million people, significantly up from 26 million currently.
