On SBS Tuesdays 8:30pm

Repeated Wednesday 1:00pm SBS ONE, Friday 7:30pm SBS TWO

A Bigger Australia

Tuesday, 18 May 10

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How big is too big?

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Australia is taking unprecedented numbers of migrants – permanent and temporary.

We will examine whether a bigger Australia is really a better Australia.   

We talk to migrants, business groups, economist, demographers, politicians and a mayor about Australia’s fast pace growth.

Polls show Australians are resistant to fast growing migration.  Are they? Is it really because of the sustainability – or is it something more?

Is population growth key to economic growth and the prosperity of the country?  

What do migrants think about the population and migration discussion.

We’ll talk about whether there are hints of social problems arising in our fastest growing cities.


Meet the Guests

  • Prof Martin Bell

    Prof Bell is a population geographer at the University of Queensland.

  • Ross Gittins

    Ross Gittins is economics editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and an economic columnist for The Age. He says rapid population growth increases overall growth domestic product, but does little to increase individual wealth.

  • Patti Chong

    Patti is a lawyer in Perth, WA. She migrated in 1973 and thinks Australia has the capacity to handle a bigger population.

  • Dick Smith

    Businessman Dick Smith thinks Australia must curb its population growth and says the Australian way of life is under threat. He believes rapid population growth could eventually lead to a lack of food and starvation.

  • Thobekile Madonko

    Thobekile migrated to Australia in 2008 on a skilled migration visa. She is currently sponsored by Jo and Greg Fleming to work on their dairy farm in Finley, NSW.

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