How big should Australia be?
Mar 1, 2026 •
Immigration is back at the centre of federal politics – again.
The Coalition’s new leadership is arguing Australia needs lower numbers, tougher rules, and a clearer cap on how many people we bring in each year.
It’s a familiar conversation. In the lead up to the 2024 election, Peter Dutton tried to put a hard number on it – promising to cut migration by 100,000 a year, saying it would help free up housing for Australians.
But critics say a large cut would hit the workforce Australia relies on, including the people needed to build more homes.
Abul Rizvi was a senior official in the Department of Immigration from the early 90s to 2007, when he left as deputy secretary.
He says the argument we keep having – election after election – skips the bigger question: Australia’s need for a long-term population plan, and what we want it to achieve.
Today, Abul Rizvi on the politics of population growth.
This episode was first published in April, 2025.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
How big should Australia be?
1835 • Mar 1, 2026
How big should Australia be?
Immigration is back at the centre of federal politics – again.
The Coalition’s new leadership is arguing Australia needs lower numbers, tougher rules, and a clearer cap on how many people we bring in each year.
It’s a familiar conversation. In the lead up to the 2024 election, Peter Dutton tried to put a hard number on it – promising to cut migration by 100,000 a year, saying it would help free up housing for Australians.
But critics say a large cut would hit the workforce Australia relies on, including the people needed to build more homes.
Abul Rizvi was a senior official in the Department of Immigration from the early 90s to 2007, when he left as deputy secretary.
He says the argument we keep having – election after election – skips the bigger question: Australia’s need for a long-term population plan, and what we want it to achieve.
Today, Abul Rizvi on the politics of population growth.
This episode was first published in April, 2025.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Former deputy secretary of the department of immigration, Abul Rizvi.
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Arielle Richards, Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Krystal Keller, Nicole Johnston, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
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