The senior team from Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) published a thought provoking piece in The Age today. Exploring the issues behind the population debate they raise the need for Australians to consider the economic, social and environmental impact of population growth versus decline.

They offered that the “aim of a population debate should be to work out what kind of society we want to have and the quality of life we want to enjoy.”

Would we be happy to accept a population increase if our council rates; health care premiums and city link tolls were all reduced? Would we be happy to accept population decline (or stabilization) if it meant our countries GDP growth stalled and our quality of life began to erode? I wouldn’t.

This topic is ultimately about sustainability. The definition being that we strive to meet the needs of today without compromising needs of future generations. The reality being that in order for our society to prosper and our quality of life to increase, we need sustainable growth across our industries, communities and natural resources

Australian manufacturers are trying to do just that, and they need the support of all Australians.

Paul Allen

General Manager – Sustainable Development