20,000,000 3/12/03
A very special number
By Farah Farouque Social Affairs Editor December 4, 2003 Australia's population will reach 20 million today. Calculated by a mathematical projection using the 2001 census, he or she could be a baby born from midnight, a migrant or a returning expatriate. Precision, in this case, is not required by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which is offering certificates to any baby born until midnight tomorrow. "We don't have a team of people using abacuses working on this," says the bureau's director of demography Patrick Corr. The future, demographically speaking, looks rather different to what preceded it. Australia has already fundamentally changed in the post-war years. Nearly a quarter of the population was born overseas, according to the census. In metropolitan Melbourne alone, 8 per cent of the population is now Asian-born. "It's a very significant transformation," notes demographer Bob Birrell. With an ageing population and Australia's fertility rate at 1.75 children per woman - replacement levels require just over two births - the migrant intake, rather than home-grown mothers, loom as the key to future growth. In the absence of migration at present levels, around 100,000 a year, Dr Birrell says that in 30 years deaths will exceed births. The bureau predicts that by 2051 there will be 26 million Australians. Business groups would like to see a bigger expansion to 40 to 50 million by mid-century. Conversely, green groups say we can't afford that kind of pressure on the environment and water resources. Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone declines to talk of an optimum number. "A number of people say we should set a population target but I think that's not either necessary or appropriate because that is just a number - a hollow shell," she said yesterday. "Those of us who are fans of immigration need to bear in mind that those of us with good jobs, with education and with skills don't feel at risk by immigration. But those people who don't have an extensive post-secondary education, who haven't got a trade skill and who might be working in an industry that is in decline, do feel at risk." OzTennis:) |
Wrong date in heading!
OzTennis:) |
Very interesting, thanks!
I was just wondering/realizing, I'm a citizen, but not a resident, so I'll be considered a returning expatriate, right, or not? I agree about not having a population target. It does seem very unnecessary and unappropriate. And you'd never be able to agree on a number anyway, there are so many arguments for reasons to make it high, and reasons to make it low. |
Originally posted by OzTennis Wrong date in heading! OzTennis:) |
Wonder what Australia will be like when the business groups get their 40-50 million economic units of production???
Welcome to Wallaby Shire Water Restrictions Apply Odd numbered residences: (a) Untreated water may be used for any purpose, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:10 AM and 5:20 PM - 5:30 PM. (b) Treated water can be used only for drinking purposes, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:05 AM and 5:25 PM - 5:30 PM. (c) The use of water on Fridays is strictly forbidden. Even numbered residences: (a) Untreated water may be used for any purpose, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:10 AM and 5:20 PM - 5:30 PM. (b) Treated water can be used only for drinking purposes, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:05 AM and 5:25 PM - 5:30 PM. (c) The use of water on Fridays is strictly forbidden. |
Originally posted by Florida_03 Wonder what Australia will be like when the business groups get their 40-50 million economic units of production??? Welcome to Wallaby Shire Water Restrictions Apply Odd numbered residences: (a) Untreated water may be used for any purpose, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:10 AM and 5:20 PM - 5:30 PM. (b) Treated water can be used only for drinking purposes, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:05 AM and 5:25 PM - 5:30 PM. (c) The use of water on Fridays is strictly forbidden. Even numbered residences: (a) Untreated water may be used for any purpose, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:10 AM and 5:20 PM - 5:30 PM. (b) Treated water can be used only for drinking purposes, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays between the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:05 AM and 5:25 PM - 5:30 PM. (c) The use of water on Fridays is strictly forbidden. OzTennis:) |
Originally posted by OzTennis Eh???? Do you mean there won't be enough water for a bigger population? OzTennis:) Australians NOW have to live with reduced water. I can only imagine that population increases will exacerbate an already worrying situation. Learn to live with less water. |
Originally posted by Florida_03 I mean there is not enough treated water for the present population considering the present infrastructure, planned investment, climatic conditions, and present usage patterns. Australians NOW have to live with reduced water. I can only imagine that population increases will exacerbate an already worrying situation. Learn to live with less water. OzTennis |
it'll be okay, water will become the new oil, and aus will team up Bush junior's junior and melt antarctica....
you mark my words.... |
A great sense of loss and only a little expectation.
Canadian Railroad Trilogy Gordon Lightfoot. There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun Long before the white man and long before the wheel When the green dark forest was too silent to be real But time has no beginnings and hist’ry has no bounds As to this verdant country they came from all around They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall And they built the mines the mills and the factories for the good of us all And when the young man’s fancy was turnin’ to the spring The railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring Their minds were overflowing with the visions of their day And many a fortune lost and won and many a debt to pay For they looked in the future and what did they see They saw an iron road runnin’ from sea to the sea Bringin’ the goods to a young growin’ land All up through the seaports and into their hands Look away said they across this mighty land From the eastern shore to the western strand Bring in the workers and bring up the rails We gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails Open ’er heart let the life blood flow Gotta get on our way ’cause we’re movin’ too slow Bring in the workers and bring up the rails We’re gonna lay down the tracks and tear up the trails Open ’er heart let the life blood flow Gotta get on our way ’cause we’re movin’ too slow Get on our way ’cause we’re movin’ too slow Behind the blue rockies the sun is declinin’ The stars, they come stealin’ at the close of the day Across the wide prairie our loved ones lie sleeping Beyond the dark oceans in a place far away We are the navvies who work upon the railway Swingin’ our hammers in the bright blazin’ sun Livin’ on stew and drinkin’ bad whiskey Bendin’ our old backs ’til the long days are done We are the navvies who work upon the railway Swingin’ our hammers in the bright blazin’ sun Layin’ down track and buildin’ the bridges Bendin’ our old backs ’til the railroad is done So over the mountains and over the plains Into the muskeg and into the rain Up the st. lawrence all the way to gaspe Swingin’ our hammers and drawin’ our pay Drivin’ ’em in and tyin’ ’em down Away to the bunkhouse and into the town A dollar a day and a place for my head A drink to the livin’ and a toast to the dead Oh the song of the future has been sung All the battles have been won O’er the mountain tops we stand All the world at our command We have opened up the soil With our teardrops and our toil For there was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun Long before the white man and long before the wheel When the green dark forest was too silent to be real When the green dark forest was too silent to be real And many are the dead men too silent to be real Canadian Railroad Trilogy |
Originally posted by jandjuk it'll be okay, water will become the new oil, and aus will team up Bush junior's junior and melt antarctica.... you mark my words.... OzTennis:) Antartica by Midnight Oil - from the album "Blue Sky Mining" I'm a snow plough, I must now plow on, I'm a snow plough, I'm a settlers son I'm a storm cloud, rain myself all over the place I'm a storm cloud, gonna wipe that smile right off your face There must be one place left in the world Where the mountains meet the sea There must be one place left in the world Where the water's real and clean I'm a landslide, I'm a downhill run, I'm a landslide, open season's just begun There must be one place left in the world Where the skin says it can breathe There gotta be one place left in the world It's a solitude of distance and relief There gotta be one place left in the world I'm a short fuse, I'm a slow blues I'm a landslide humming, I'm a downhill running There must be one place left in the world, where we can be (Moginie/Hirst/Rotsey/Garrett) |
All times are GMT. The time now is 12:16 pm. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.