Build independent insitutions to safeguard and advance Australian interests

Comments on Anne Bligh “Let's get real on population”, 29/03/2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/lets-get-real-on-population/story-e6frg6zo-1225846610958

Surely, there should be independent studies of optimal population growth in Australia, taking into account all important factors.

Treasury is not an independent agency from the government.

So is the ABS.

Further, while the ABS is good at statistics, it does not mean it is good at population forecasting, not to mention whether it is optimal or not on which it does not have the expertise.

There should be open and transparent debates on population growth in Australia.

Any government, both federal and State ones in Australia should encourage that debate and facilitate it.

In fact, Australia should develop some independent institutions funded publically that can inform the nation on important issues, both long and short terms.

Government can provide some terms of reference for work done by those institutions. In addition, they should be able also to initiate what they see important and relevant to Australia.