Gerry Karidis, one of the most influential property developers says Australia should be a nation of 35 million people and has been too slow on immigration.
“More people means more business and more demand for services and that creates jobs,” Mr Karidis said.
“Over the next 30 years the number of over 65-year-olds will double, while the growth of the traditional workforce age will slow to almost nothing.
“Who will feed these [older] people? Who will pay taxes?”
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean backed Mr Karidis call and repudiated the Prime Minister’s position on population growth, threatening to reignite the Big Australia debate by calling for Australia to boost immigration levels to fully exploit its potential and create employment.
“I believe in a Big Australia,” Mr Crean told senior politicians and corporate heavyweight in Adelaide.
“I think what’s made this country great – unequivocally – has been immigration. It’s been good for us economically, it’s been good for us socially, and it’s been good for us culturally.”
Mr Crean’s position puts him at odds with Julia Gillard, who has called for “a sustainable Australia, not a Big Australia”.
Sustainable Population Australia, whose patrons include Foreign Minister Bob Carr, said new figures showing Australia’s growth rate had risen to 1.5 per cent per annum were “alarming”.
South Australian Labor Premier Jay Weatherill said Mr Karidis – a major donor to the ALP – had always been a strong supporter of population growth.
“He is very passionate about bringing life to the city,” Mr Weatherill said. “We support his sentiments, but not necessarily all of his suggestions.”
