Martin Tye

“Population Growth Slow Down” (PGSD) is a new independent Pty Ltd company run on a ‘not for profit’ basis. Its purpose is to raise both the public profile of the population issue in Australia and to lobby politicians for change.

Not another anti-population growth group, you say? Why not? The air waves and print media teem with pro-growth lobby groups and their messages. Australian federal and state governments are continually browbeaten and seduced by pro-population growth lobbyists. We already have the environmental NGOs, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) and Victoria First; the political parties, Stop Population Growth Now (SPGN) and the Sustainable Population Party, and Candobetter.net (alternative counter-growth media) exist, so why do we need another one?

The answer is simple; after standing in the last election as a candidate for the seat of Eden-Monaro (representing the Sustainable Population Party), PGSD founder, Martin Tye saw firsthand that there was a huge gap between the public perception of the issue and the stance being taken by these other organizations. He realized a bridge needed to be made to connect the average person to the issue by making the concepts more personal and by providing easily digestible bits of information which relate directly to peoples everyday lives.

So this organization is essentially a re-branding of the issue with the objective of attracting a new market, getting them involved, and to effectively sign a petition for change.

Martin has now resigned from the “Sustainable Population Party” as he wants to attract interest from people regardless of their political persuasion. He is working full-time on this project, he stresses that PGSD is designed to complement the existing organizations, not to compete (we are fighting for the same thing and must work together). He sees PGSD as ‘opening another front’ in the war against the perpetual growthists who would ruin our country in their quest for profits. There is no reason why everyone who is already committed to this cause shouldn’t add their support to PGSD. “Every voice adds to the power of our message”.

Very strong support in Queensland

‘PGSD’ commenced operation in late February and the support has already been over-whelming. We have members from every State and Territory, with especially strong support in south-east Queensland where rapid population growth has already had serious impact on ‘quality of life’ and the environment. There have also been requests for speaking engagements and a number of media requests. ‘PGSD’ is gathering momentum fast!

Slowing vs stopping

But why ‘Slow Down’ and not ‘Stop’ population growth? ‘PGSD’ believes the economic reality is that to come to a sudden stop would be disastrous. The public would not accept this, and the movement would fail. The best course of action is to ‘slow down’ while we restructure our economy and work out just how many people this new economy can support with a reasonable quality of life for the long term, while at the same time placing proper recognition on the importance of our environment. ‘PGSD’ believes we will need a transition period not a sudden shift.

At present, our politicians are refusing to accept that we can have anything but endless ‘growth’ (do they know we live in a harsh and finite country facing the challenges of peak oil and climate change?). All the pressure on them comes from big corporations who want to drive population growth and profits.

PGSD founder, Martin Tye says;

“It is time we, the people, created some pressure of our own. PGSD aims to: educate, organise and mobilise the people, to start a movement that will sweep this country. We will force the politicians to start acting in the best interests of the people and not the property developers! We will send a message that our environment is no longer expendable in their quest for never ending ‘growth’. … Rapid population growth is not sustainable and it does not discriminate; it impacts all people current and future. We are fighting back!”

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To succeed PGSD needs numbers. The more people join the more power we have- so, no matter what your; religion, politics, race or social background. Get involved, everyone is welcome to join, just register your support through the website.

Add your voice today at www.populationgrowthslowdown.com.au

"THERE IS A POINT BEYOND WHICH POPULATION GROWTH MOVES FROM BEING CONSTRUCTIVE TO BEING DESTRUCTIVE … WE HAVE NOW PASSED THAT POINT"