Growth is good. That is the message Infrastructure Australia wants the public and politicians to hear.
The organisation's chief executive, Philip Davies, says Sydney should not resist growth and the economic opportunities the extra 2.6 million people expected to live in Sydney by 2046 would offer.
He warns Sydney risks falling behind other global cities like Singapore and London if it does not end the debates about population growth.
The message runs counter to the message from former prime minister Tony Abbott.
Earlier this week, he argued for a reduction in the country's migration levels, saying they should be cut from 190,000 people per year to 110,000.
On 2GB Radio, he dismissed Treasurer Scott Morrison's assertion that such a reduction in migration would reduce federal revenue by about $5 billion.
On Sky News, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo (CHO-bo) distanced himself from the debate but came down clearly on the side of migration.
"You cannot have a situation where you try to pretend that immigration's the reason why we see an increase in house prices when the fact is that the increase in house prices is, in many respects, largely confined to Melbourne and to Sydney. You have other markets in Australia where the price is falling. So let's not pretend this is about the number of immigrants. The fact is that Australia is a richer country because of immigration. Immigrants have been, in many respects, driving -- together with Australians who have been here for two, three or four generations -- the prosperity the country has."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the political infighting is hampering Australia's future.
"I mean, the Government said that Mr Abbott's ideas would cost the budget billions of dollars. I don't think we need to give it any more consideration. I look at what Mr Abbott says and what Mr Turnbull says about Mr Abbott through the fact that these two men are consumed about hating each other and fighting each other. I don't see that the debate advances Australia."
