responses

Inside are eleven responses to a questionnaire about candidates' opinions about Australia's population size. Candidates Nick Shady, Allan Doensen, Ian Dobby, Nigel Hicks want a decrease or don't want growth. One or two want to reduce immigration but have said they would prefer a bigger population. One candidate compares Australia's size to the USA and talks of diverting water to the desert for the purpose of growing the population. Some rely on the idea that better planning will facilitate a bigger population. United Australia candidates seem to have a policy of growing the population after providing infrastructure rather than before, as has been happening.

Questionnaire for candidates in 2019 federal election from Sustainable Population Australia, Victorian Branch

CANDIDATE 1
Candidate Name…Nick Shady…………………………
House of Representatives …………
Political party if applicable …Independent……………………………………………
Running in the seat of……Ballarat…………………………

Questions:

(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee) immigration to Australia
a. increase, No
b. stay the same, No
c. decrease, Yes
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia?
a. Less than it is now. No
b. as it is now (between 25-26 million) Yes
c. higher than it is now. No
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing population on the Australian environment?
a. yes
Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population ?
I would encourage the voters to think where the direction of our country is going. We don’t seem to have a population policy; we have no drought or water policy either. The infrastructure of our major cities has been left behind in the debate of increased housing and population growth, who will want to live in areas where there are no schools, shops or public transport.
The issues facing the voters of the Ballarat electorate are placing the new estates of western Melbourne on country train lines. Not only does this affect the travel times and punctuality, it harms the commuters by not having an adequate service for the cost to travel.
This then places more cars on the road as people cannot use public transport to travel. The road network on the western side of Melbourne is nearly at capacity; there are no plans for duplication of these roads which need to be done now for the upcoming demand.
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CANDIDATE 2
Candidate Name………Allan Doensen
House of Representatives or Senate ………Senate, VIC
Political party if applicable ………Sustainable Australia Party
Running in the seat of……………… Senate, VIC
Questions:
(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee) immigration to Australia
a. increase
b. stay the same
c. decrease x
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia??
a. Less than it is now
b. as it is now (between 25-26 million) x
c. higher than it is now
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing population on the Australian environment?
a. yes x
b. no
Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population ?
Sustainable Australia is an independent community party from the sensible centre.
Sustainable Australia has carefully developed a comprehensive policy platform. Within this platform, we have prioritised four big issues:
Secure jobs via a more diverse economy
Affordable housing for first home buyers and renters
Better planning to stop overdevelopment
A sustainable environment and population
Regarding population, we believe Australia should slow its population growth, aiming for a population target of around 26-30 million through to 2050.
You can find all of our policies here:
www.sustainableaustralia.org.au/policies
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CANDIDATE 3
Candidate Name…………George Zoraya
House of Representatives …………Victoria, Chisholm……………
Political party if applicable ……United Australia Party ………
Running in the seat of………………Chisholm………………………
Questions:
(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee) immigration to Australia
a. increase
b. stay the same
c. decrease
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia??
a. Less than it is now
b. as it is now (between 25-26 million)
c. higher than it is now
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing population on the Australian environment?
a. yes - X
b. no
Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population?
Answers to questions 1 & 2, directly relate to the Party Policy,
“Our Immigration is based on Infrastructure and not cultural ethnicity”
I also personally subscribe to this view, what is the right number for Australia?
That depends, planned and managed population growth/immigration where we can grow cities, regions to provide growth that does not strain current resources, but allows for our economy to grow and protect the quality of life. This is a motherhood statement, we need planned, managed growth.
Taken from our website below,
”Revising the current Australian Government’s Refugee Policy to ensure Australia is protected and refugees are given opportunities for a better future and lifestyle”
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CANDIDATE 4

Shireen Morris ALP candidate for Lower House seat of Deakin
Thank you for writing to me regarding Labor’s plans for immigration and the environment.
 
I am a strong proponent of a well-structured, evidence-based approach to migration policy. Australia is a nation built on migration and has welcomed 7.5 million migrants since World War II – through family reunion, humanitarian visas and skilled migration. My parents migrated from India and Fiji and I was born here. I believe we are all Australian - whether we are Muslim, African, Italian, Indian or British in origin.
 
I do not agree with the Morrison Government’s proposal to cap permanent migration at 160,000. In contrast, Labor has offered a comprehensive plan for migration based on the best available evidence and analysis.
 
In Government, Labor will establish the Australian Skills Authority – an independent, labour market testing body to determine genuine skills needs and restrict temporary work visas to those areas. Labor does not want businesses to look overseas and rely on temporary work visas to fill skills shortages. We want Australian employers to have a local, skilled workforce ready to go. No skills shortage should last one day longer that it takes to train an Australian to do that job.

We will overhaul the 457-style visa system so that it isn’t cheaper to pay an overseas worker than an Australian worker. In doing so we will maintain Australian skills and qualifications standards, by ensuring that assessments are approved by Trades Recognition Australia, and not conducted by immigration officials.

Labor will deliver a fairer Long Stay Parent visa so that Australian families from migrant and multicultural backgrounds can reunite with loved ones. The liberals’ unfair Temporary Sponsored visa is completely different from the commitment they took to the 2016 election – with unfair conditions and higher fees, and it cruelly forces families to choose between which parents or in-laws they reunite with by limiting the visa to one set of parents per household.

I believe that these policies will allow us to responsibly grow our population while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Kind regards,

Shireen Morris
Labor Candidate for Deakin

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CANDIDATE 5
Christine McShane, Candiate for the Lower House seat of Flinders

The United Australia Party believes that the level of immigration should match the infrastructure in place to support it. Before a number could be decided on, we would need to partake in a comprehensive review of existing numbers, hospital waiting lists etc.

Kind regards,

Christine McShane
Candidate for FLINDERS
United Australia Party

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CANDIDATE 6
Candidate Name……Leigh Firman…………………………………………
House of Representatives or Senate ………H of R
Political party if applicable …Science …………………
Running in the seat of…………Mallee………………………………………………
Questions:
(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee) immigration to Australia
a. increase x
b. stay the same
c. decrease
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia?
a. Less than it is now
b. as it is now (between 25-26 million)
c. higher than it is now x
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing population on the Australian environment?
a. yes
b. no x

Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population ?
The Australian Mainland is almost as big as the continental United States.
If we can find ways to bring water to the arid areas and keep it there, our Population could easily be at least that of the USA.
Their population is around 325 million, ours is 25 million.
So it is a matter of finding leaders and visionaries who want to see our country progress and not the current crop of professional politicians who seem to want to help only themselves

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CANDIDATE 7
Dr. Angelina Zubac, Independent candidate for Lower House seat of Kooyong

I have a 7 point national agenda which includes infrastructure for the next 50 years, integrated systems and the building of regional corridors that use the best, sustainable and technological adept systems to connect the cities with the regions. This will solve a multitude of problems. 
 
In regard to population numbers, I think we need to ensure our population grows at a rate that is consistent with our ability to absorb people. The exact number will change on a year by year basis. 
 
Of course, if climate change leads to some people on the islands surrounding us to be covered by water then we need to welcome these environmental refugees because they have no where to go. 
 
Thanks for the opportunity to comment. 
 
Kind regards
Dr Angelina Zubac
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR KOOYONG 
 
WWW.VOTE4DRANGELINA.COM.AU
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CANDIDATE 8
Candidate Name……Ian Dobby…………………………………………
House of Representatives or Senate … House of Representatives
Political party if applicable …Independent …………………
Running in the seat of………Chisholm………………………………………………
Questions:
(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee) immigration to Australia
a. increase
b. stay the same
c. decrease x
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia?
a. Less than it is now
b. as it is now (between 25-26 million)
c. higher than it is now x
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing population on the Australian environment?
a. yes x
b. no

Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population ?
Australia is the best country in the world. Why wouldn’t people want to come here. When they come here, they need to leave their allegiance to their natural country and be loyal to this county and its people.
A friend of mine (Doctor) who’s father immigrated here from China was talking to his son prior to being naturalised. His son said to him that he didn’t have to be naturalised and could still live here to which his father answered No this is my country and if Australia was at war with China, I would fight for Australia. Although we don’t support wars, this is the attitude that is necessary for one to call this nation their home.
Forward planning for infrastructure is necessary to cope as the population grows in order to reduce the stress on services and society .
This has not been the case for the alst 10-15 years and the evidence is seen in the pressures faced by society.
You could help me by alerting voters to my policies and also assist me on Election Day by handing out my How to Vote cards …….. (more about how to vote and FB page ref.) omitted

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CANDIDATE 9
Candidate Name Duncan Robert Dean
House of Representatives or Senate … H o R
Political party if applicable …United Australia Party
Running in the seat of La Trobe
Questions:
(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee) immigration to Australia
a. increase
b. stay the same With increases only when sustainable and economically viable to our strong socio-economic future in the Asian region. Not currently increase sustainable.
c. decrease
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia??
a. Less than it is now
b. as it is now (between 25-26 million) When the currently atrociously and poorly planned, dysfuntional infrastructure (roads, rail, affordable housing ,electricity prices and more) is back under control nationally under a United Australia Party intervention in government, we will consider increasing sustainable refuge and immigrant intake.
c. higher than it is now
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing population on the Australian environment?
a. yes Yes I am; as successive governments have neglected the escalating damage to the Australian and global environments caused by poor population planning , dangerously lacking in substance and professionalism, our air is polluting, our species are becoming extinct ,global warming is growing , cost of living is increasing and socio-economic future is bleak
b. no

Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population ?
In 2002, Peter Costello released the Intergenerational Report when our population was 19.7 million and forecast that it would be 25 million by 2042. Eight years later Wayne Swan revised the estimate saying we would get to 25 million by 2028
With Australia’s population now exceeding 25 million in 2019, infrastructure is groaning under the strain and cities bursting at the seams. We need to make some serius decions on the nation’s forward population plan.
In recent years Australia’s population growth rate has averaged has averaged at 1.7% per year which is higher then new Zealand, Canada and the USA. It is also compared to the world average for developed countries which is 0.3%.
We face a population bubble if we do not acknowledge that immigration is a key factor in our population explosion and so must keep immigration to manageable numbers.
The United Australia Party immigration policy is based on numbers, not cultural background. Our existing infrastructure cannot cope with current numbers. Housing availability and affordability is becoming out of reach for many everyday Australians.
The UAP immigration policy dovetails with our zonal taxation policy which aims to incentivise regional settlement and reduce big city population numbers.

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CANDIDATE 10
Candidate Name..Nigel Hicks
House of Representatives or Senate … H o R
Political party if applicable …Independent
Running in the seat of Nicholls
Questions:
(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee) immigration to Australia
a. increase
b. stay the same
c. decrease decrease
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia??
a. Less than it is now less than it is now
b. as it is now (between 25-26 million)
c. higher than it is now
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing population on the Australian environment?
a. yes yes
b. no
Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population ?
I would like to see a freeze on all immigration for the next 5-10 years with a serious view to minimal if any return after that point.

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CANDIDATE II
Candidate Name Peter Charleton
House of Representatives or Senate House of Reps
Political party if applicable Independent
Running in the seat of CASEY
Questions:
(Please place an x next to the answers that apply )
1. Would you like to see the current rate of (non-refugee)
immigration to Australia
c. decrease
2. What do you think is the ideal population for Australia??
c. higher then it is now
3. Are you concerned about the pressures of an increasing
population on the Australian environment?
a. yes
Would you like to make any further comments on Australia’s population ?
We must ensure we are doing the very best by the people/Australians who are here, we cannot add to the pressure on our struggling services, nor can we
continue to rely on an ever growing population just to keep the economy FIGURES “LOOKING” good!