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A Greater Australia: Population, policies and governance - CEDA

A Greater Australia: Population, policies and governance - CEDA

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ForewordIt is with pleasure that I present <strong>CEDA</strong>’s latest major researchreport, A <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>: <strong>Population</strong>, <strong>policies</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>governance</strong>.This publication is a culmination of two years of work <strong>and</strong> drawstogether 17 expert contributions from across <strong>Australia</strong>. <strong>CEDA</strong>has undertaken this project, under the editorship of ProfessorsJonathan Pincus <strong>and</strong> Graeme Hugo, to provide considered discussionon the future population of <strong>Australia</strong>, dispel myths, highlightconstraints <strong>and</strong> make policy recommendations.<strong>Population</strong> is a topic that receives much attention, but comment <strong>and</strong> debate is notalways backed by rigorous analysis.Public unease with the population debate is often centred around government policyor planning failures, from inadequate service provision to poor infrastructure planning.This highlights the importance of government policy being developed from robust discussions<strong>and</strong> a strong foundation of facts.The key policy recommendations <strong>CEDA</strong> is making as a result of this publication arethat:The Federal Government should establish an <strong>Australia</strong>n <strong>Population</strong> Council (APC), tocoordinate government service delivery nationally in response to population changes.The APC should be responsible for annual projections of demographic change for thepurpose of ensuring smooth State <strong>and</strong> Federal Government service delivery.In particular, the focus should be on the areas of infrastructure delivery (roads <strong>and</strong>community infrastructure), education <strong>and</strong> health requirements. This would allowmore proactive policy responses to population changes as they emerge, rather thanreactively.In addition, the Federal Government should supplement the Intergenerational Report,which examines the ramifications of an ageing population, with a Future GenerationReport, which examines the participation, education <strong>and</strong> training solutions that couldmitigate the negative elements of <strong>Australia</strong>’s current age structure. For example, examiningways of ensuring longer workforce participation.The nation’s leaders must not shy away from having a robust discussion around<strong>Australia</strong>’s future demography <strong>and</strong> its implications for public policy. <strong>CEDA</strong> hopes thispublication will provide an important resource in driving that discussion.I would like to thank the editors <strong>and</strong> all the contributing authors for their work towardsthis publication.Ultimately the greatness of <strong>Australia</strong> as a place to live <strong>and</strong> work will be determined bythe <strong>policies</strong> underpinning population change. <strong>CEDA</strong> hopes this document will contributeto making a greater <strong>Australia</strong>.Professor the Hon Stephen MartinChief Executive<strong>CEDA</strong>A <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>: <strong>Population</strong>, Policies <strong>and</strong> Governance5

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