Dick Smith urges immigration cull as Australia hits 25 million people mark

Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith has slammed the Australian Government’s immigration policies as the country prepares to reach a population of 25 million in coming weeks.

While many may see the milestone as a time for celebration, Smith claims it’s more of a cause for concern as the population skyrockets to a figure previously believed it wouldn’t exceed until 2051.

Speaking on radio station 2GB on Tuesday morning, the 74-year-old said the last thing the country needs is more people.

“At the present growth rate we are going to end up at 100 million at the end of the century when many of our grandkids will still be alive and most people agree that 100 million is a crazy number for Australia – it will probably mean a lot of poor people will never, ever have a job,” he said.

“There has been no discussion with the Australian public about this, there hasn’t been a proper plan, but I know why politicians do this – both parties are supporting this three times increase in migration because it looks as if the country is growing, they always talk about growth.”

Back in 1998 – when the 2051 population was predicted – it was also believed net migration would sit at between 70 and 90 thousand per annum. However, in the last 12 months 232,000 people were welcomed into the country – three times the predictions made two decades ago.

According to Smith the consequences will be devastating to Australia society. 

“It’s got nothing to do with racism, it’s about thinking of our children and grandchildren and all Australians and the chance they have to a proper job,” he said.

“We are going to completely destroy the way of life as we know it today. I cannot believe that one of the major parties wouldn’t reflect what eight out of 10 people want.”

Earlier this year ABC broadcast a documentary on Four Corners titled, ‘Big Australia: Are we ready?’, with a specific focus on how every day Australians will survive as they fight for jobs, health care and education as Melbourne and Sydney are set to reach populations of eight million each by the middle of the century.

It is predicted that in more than 10 years Victoria and New South Wales will need to build around 200 schools each to cope with the influx, while some states are pushing for more public transport options as cars will not fit on the roads in the near future. 

“We’ve done an abysmal job. You know, there has been really no serious integrated debate around all the key factors that population growth brings to our economy and our national way of life,” Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said.

The population is increasing at a rapid rate and although Australia is large in size Australia’s people are concerned that will not be able to afford to live. 

However, the prime minister’s wife Lucy Turnbull has an opposing view, claiming cities such as Sydney do have room for more people and there are plenty of job opportunities to go around.

Read more: ‘We’re not full’: Lucy Turnbull’s immigration comments cause outrage

Her comments caused outrage among Australians who claimed while Sydney perhaps could take on more migrants, other areas across the country were bursting at the seams.

What are your thoughts on immigration and Australia’s population growth?