LM, while I can understand the "feelgood factor" of a swearing in ceremony I can't believe you think we aren't already over-populated.
Our Health and Education systems are swamped, there simply aren't enough jobs to soak up our current unemployed and the job market is shrinking, due to economic factors, computerisation and the opening up of Oz to foreign products with FTA's, and none of those will change for the better in the fore-seeable future.
Our agricultural sector is staggering from one crisis to the next, valuable farming land is being lost to urbanisation and mining, and our water sources are either drying up or under threat, especially the Grt Art' Basin, country towns and communities are disappearing, and many of those that survive are being priced out all across the North, due to fly-in/fly-out workers and foreign investment in property.
The world is changing, that is normal, but the changes we see today are not often improvements for the poor shmucks at the bottom, US, wealth and power are concentrating upwards and that will continue apace, and that will inevitably lead to destabilisation, Oz is not immune.
Have you not been paying attention to poverty levels here in Oz, the housing market, the devolution of Public Housing, and so many other factors indicative of the degradation of our social order?
Oz, and the whole world, is seeing a shrinking middle-class, the division between rich and poor is growing, and forcing more people into an already difficult society will exacerbate this, not magically relieve it, LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR won't supply affordable housing, good education and reliable Health support, and those lacks will only increase unhappiness and social pressure, a sure recipe for disaster.
You may point to the growing middle-class in China and India but unfortunately that's a numbers game, a localised temporary bubble and already showing signs of instability, it will burst eventually and then there'll be millions more very upset and hurting people to rock the boat and put further pressure on Oz.

Loudmouth >> Of course, if the fascists carry out any atrocity in Australia, whether against Muslim Australians or non-Muslim Australians, then the full weight of the law should come down on them like a ton of bricks. <<

They same should apply to those two scumbags that knocked down and robbed the old man yesterday. Those two need a one-way ticket Mosul.

These days its more likely the punishment will be a group hug and an apology for creating the circumstances that lead to the poor jerk becoming a criminal.

Out of curiosity, does your anti immigration stance include Kiwis?

Yes ConservativeHippie, it most definitely must include Kiwis.

One of our big problems in southern Brisbane is with islanders. They have free access to New Zealand, which then gives them entry to Oz.

Lets face it, we have half the kiwi population living in Oz, & most of the islanders they let in now here. What sensible bludger would live in NZ when they have automatic access to our more generous welfare?

Since February 2001 the immigration regulations changed for New Zealanders. Although Kiwis who arrived after 2001 can live and work here permanently they are not entitled to permanent residency status unless they are rich, under 50, and/or fit into particular professional categories.

Kiwis have no special status, have no avenue for citizenship and are not allowed to vote. Kiwis enter the country on a Special Category Visa which effectively makes them permanently Temporary Visitors. Each time a Kiwi living in Australia travels overseas, they are issued a new visa on their return.

Kiwis (post 2001) are not entitled to welfare benefits though if they can prove they moved here rather than just being on a visit, they can receive Medicare. Kiwi children borne in Australia since 2001 are not entitled to citizenship if their parents arrived after 2001. Disadvantage children borne in Australia to Kiwi parents are not entitled to any help even though their parents pay equal taxes including the new National Disability levy.

Contrary to the ill-informed (some might even say racist) beliefs expressed by Hasbeen, the majority of Kiwis are hard working tax payers that integrate into Australian culture seamlessly.

Whilst NZ pensioners cannot even collect their NZ pension in Australia without being means tested, (being they cannot receive the benefit they are entitled to from NZ). Aussies crossing the ditch to live in NZ are entitled to all welfare benefits from day one. are eligible for Permanent Residency and afterward are entitled to vote.

Contravening the UN Human Rights and anti-discrimination conventions, even after 10 - 13 years living in Australia, paying taxes, home owners, hard/reliable workers, proven to be contributing to their communities and society - Kiwi families are denied the right to vote and the security of knowing they cannot be removed from the country on the whim of the next anti-immigration legislation.

So much for the ANZAC Spirit.

Conundrum:
Why is it those that are the most adamant about global warming and warn
of longer droughts and drier climate are generally the same people who advocate much more immigration ?

I just cannot see how the two positions are reconciled.

Dear Bruce,

Thank You for your post regarding population
growth in Australia - it definitely is a
debate that we should seriously have in this
country. Perhaps someone would like to start
a separate discussion on this topic?

Anyway, I've come across a link, that even
though it's a few years old, in my opinion
its very relevant today:

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/how-many-is-too-many-australias-people-problem-20100218-Ogfp.html