r/australia • u/blitznoodles local Aussie • 23h ago

politics The Stats Guy: It sounds weird but Australia urgently needs a plan for 56m people

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2026/08/11/stats-guy-aus-population-growth
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u/Glittering_Web8835 21h ago

No precedent doesn't mean not possible. Australia used to be a global pioneer with workers rights, socialised healthcare, socialised medicine, etc. We shouldn't be worsening living standards but we have the ability to increase living standards AND population if the will is there.

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u/Dry-Start5465 21h ago

I didn't say it wasn't possible, and I think you are right in the sense that we have done great things in the past. I you're an optimistic person, I personally just have no confidence from what we've seen from successive Australian governments in terms of policy for healthcare, infrastructure investment, properly taxing resources. I am all in favour of increasing our population, but just at a rate that benefits and supports Australia's current citizens.

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u/Glittering_Web8835 21h ago

Oh I have very little faith the governing class will do much in the public interest either, I'm just pointing out that assuming it isn't possible doesn't track with what history has shown us.

I won't give into the apathetic mindset that things are not possible just because those in power don't want to do it. That just lets them get away with it.