The AGE argues that the data from the census is laden with political and public policy implications, and it can help calibrate debates on public policy.
The AGE says that the findings of the 2016 census underscore the increasing diversity of the rapidly expanding population of Australia.
The latest national snapshot shows almost half the population was either born overseas or has at least one parent who was. The total number of people living in Australia who were born overseas increased by 870,000 between 2011 and 2016.
Thats a rise from 24.6 per cent to 26.3 per cent - more than one in four Australian residents.
The AGE explains that the UK remains the biggest source of immigrants, but for the first time the majority of those born overseas are from Asia rather than Europe. In total 1.3 million new migrants have moved to Australia since 2011. India with 163,000 and China with 191,000 are the largest sources.
The paper pointedly says this first batch of data from the census is laden with political and public policy implications.
Polls show about two-thirds of Australians support marriage equality. The AGE argues that a plebiscite on whether to legalise same-sex marriage should be abandoned as it is hugely wasteful and potentially terribly harmful to the LGBTIQ, and MPs should be given a conscience vote on the matter.
The 2016 census data shows that home ownership rates declined for a quarter of a century, with only 31 percent of Australians own their homes full right after paying their mortgage.
This figure is less than 32.1 percent as reported in 2011 census, and only 10 points higher since 1991, when more than 40 percent of Australians could afford paying their homes mortgage.
The paper explains that experts attribute this in part to prices being driven to unaffordable levels by speculators exploiting negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions on property speculation, and it emphasizes these should be phased out.
The AGE argues that there is a legitimate debate to be had about the pace of population growth, but the context is that immigration has enriched Australia economically and socially. The census data can help calibrate that debate.
