In recognition of the UN’s World Population Day, this panel will address what Australia should look like by the middle of the century. Australia’s composition and population size is a controversial and vexed topic at times, with some commentators saying the organic population growth with a controlled immigration program will serve Australia well – both from an economic prosperity perspective and from a social cohesion angle. The alternative argument believes Australia is under-utilised and can service a larger population which in turn grows productivity and maximises the opportunity advancements in technology presents by continually innovating to be the smarter nation. With the Corona pandemic looking like it will be with us for a few years, human and resource mobilisation will not be like it was in a pre-COVID world, where self-sustainability will be a key priority of many governments. Australia will need to navigate its way through the next few decades by balancing the changing dynamics of labour markets and resource mobility whilst maximising the utilisation of their existing human capital. So, should Australia continue to grow by increasing the intake of skilled migrants ? Is our nation growing at a suitable rate in the Asian century, where the opportunities that awaits ready of maximum utilisation ? Would a larger population increase the opportunity for innovation and enhance industry ?

Join us as we hear from Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, the federal MP for Calwell (Deputy Chair for the Joint Standing Committee for Immigration) & Dr Katie Allen MP, the Federal Member for Higgins (Committee member for the Joint Standing Committee for Trade & Investment; Industry, Innovation, Science & Resources and Communication & the Arts) as they share their views on what Australia should look like by 2050.

Biography's

Katie Allen was sworn in as the Member for Higgins in 2019, where she took the opportunity to speak about her passion for her diverse local community. She outlined her vision for ensuring a healthy and educated start to life for the next generation, an environmentally and economically sustainable future for all, lower taxes and a strong economy.

Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, was a paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital for 28 years, a Professor at the University of Melbourne and the University of Manchester and Director of the Australian Centre of Food and Allergy Research. Katie has also been on the Board at Cabrini Hospital and Chairman of Melbourne Girls Grammar School.

Katie currently sits on the joint standing committees for Trade and Investment; the National Broadband Network; the Parliamentary Library; Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources and Communications and the Arts.

Katie is also co convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of UNICEF, Parliamentary Friends of Child and Adolescent Health and Parliamentary Friends of Hemochromatosis, Parliamentary Friends of Young People and Parliamentary Friends of Cancer Care and Cure.

Maria Vamvakinou is the first Greek-born woman to be elected to the Parliament of Australia. In 1959, Maria migrated to Australia with her family in 1963 as part of the Arthur Calwell Assisted migration policy.

Maria grew up and was educated in Melbourne’s Northern suburbs and - as the child of working class migrant parents - developed a strong sense of social justice early on.

Maria also holds a Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne and from there worked as a high school teacher before entering politics.

Maria has held Federal seat of Calwell since 2001. Maria works closely with her constituency to advocate on issues such as immigration; employment; healthcare and education in Federal Parliament.

Maria is the Deputy Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration, and is also member of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade – which includes the Human Rights Sub-committee.

Maria is the co-convener of the Parliamentary Friends of SBS; Multiculturalism – which hosts the largest interfaith dialogue at Parliament House each year; the Heart and Stroke Foundations and Palestine.

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If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@intercultural.org.au.