By every measure, except GDP as distinct from GDP per capita,population growth in Arid Australia is a tragedy for the country and the generations to come.

Funny how we don't seem to get hordes of boat arrivals from Switzerland. For GDP per capita to merely stay constant with say 2% population growth we must have 2% economic growth. From the outside that might not seem too bad recently with the Covid rebound, plenty of rain plus exports of coal which some say is bad (I agree) and gas which we'll need for ourselves. I think before 2030 it will go pear shaped with the combination of El Nino, local coal closures and high population growth.

I recall an ABC item on Pacific island aged care workers saying their plan was to bring out family. That's an inbuilt multiplier. Can they afford to buy a house? When the baby boomers die out say by 2040 or fruit picking is mechanised we may not need so many of that kind of worker. Too late we'll have heading on for 35m or whatever people with dried up rivers and dried up jobs.

"Population growth strongly influences wellbeing across other domains. Particularly in Australia, it should be its own domain".

Yes: to the detriment of well-being. More people, but no more resources-health, infrastructure, housing, electricity, water, transport etc. But more multiculturalism and divisions.

Given that we have outsourced most manufacturing to China, we should need fewer people.

Wealth? Most of the extra that comes in goes to a few bigshots; per capita wealth decreases. Kindergarten stuff.

People on the dole just about match the jobs we are told need filling.

The very LAST thing we need is more people. Time to get bludging Australians and freeloading immigrants off their backsides.

The really bad and stupid people have been in charge for to long, no matter how different from each other they claim to be.

Endless Growth is an oxymoron along with Sustainable Growth.

"The very LAST thing we need is more people"
I don`t often agree with you ttbn but there is certainly No argument here.

The inmates have escaped and are now running the asylum.

Economic growth predicated on population growth is insanity writ large. We cannot house those here now! Skills shortages can be addressed by temporary guest labour. Where their skill sets can be transferred to Australians.

All the indicators for growth are worthless if energy prices stymie them stillborn, the realistic outcome of a political obtuse asinine mindset that's welded to coal as the source of power provision in this country.

We need healthy metal smelting industries able to compete with the world. And that cannot rely on battery or pumped hydro backed renewables.

We're to build and service nuclear subs here. with a locked and bolted energy supply paradigm that'll force the price/build cost up by triple at the very least!

Wages are also sure to spiral out of control as workers chase their tails trying to catch energy created inflation. Treasury tacks should read, treasury lacks!

Make no mistake, until we get nuclear power that's now markedly cheaper than coal, this Mad hatter policy paradigm will continue or worsen, as the government throws taxpayer money subsidies (billions) at a problem they refuse to address with sane economic policies and a coherent energy policy fit for purpose, i.e., MSR thorium/nuclear waste burners. And consequent energy prices as low as 1-3 cents PKWH.

There is something very wrong in this country, when the incredibly narrow interests of around 12,000 coal miners take precedence over 23 million Australians. As others have pointed out, we do not have the water resources to house more. Besides the pandemic and closed border outcomes, demonstrably show more permanent residents are not needed to stimulate bona fide economic growth/wellbeing!
Alan B.