The idea that we can keep increasing our numbers and that our natural resources will keep sustaining us is flawed. Economic growth based on continual population growth will blow out our numbers and cause havoc when Nature eventually decides to fix the problem! We are under the forces of globalisation, and unless we stop immigration we will be overwhelmed by other religions and cultures, and our cultural inheritance will be fragmented and lost. No problem is solved by adding more people! We can never keep our population young by adding more people. Australia has no optimum population plan.

So 45% will be over 65 in mid 2020, and the majority of them will have been taxpayers for most of their working lives. What is happening to the extra tax levied and earmarked for social services in the 1930's - or has that simply been quietly absorbed into general revenue? To all those complaining about the pension just remember that for years we were encouraged to accept lower wages with the promise that we would be cared for in old age. That need still stands today, how can some one earning under $15 per hour possibly pay today's rents and health costs let alone support a family and save for a reasonable standard of lving after retirement? By the way, has any one commneted on the 50% 'tax" to be levied on pensioner earnings? There is a cut off point for wages which represents the point where a wage earner breaks even with average living expenses. Below that point the wage earner's gap represents lost possible money for circulation. Employers can't have it both ways, in order to spend your minions must earn a break even wage, in osrder so save there must be a surplus.

Rudds fate same as Howards end.

do you know why they keep taking in migrants? cause they need the money. do you know how much they charged for one parent? AUD 18K ++.... one sibling... AUD 2k. Immigration is gaining money. Not that any immigrant is allowed to use medicare or access centrelink as we are to place a bond with the government of 9 k for 2 adults and 1 kid for 10 years. Maybe Australia still need immigrants.. a way of making money