Time to celebrate lower population growth

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By Leith van Onselen

An number of commentators expressed concern yesterday at Australia’s population growth figures for the December quarter, which came in lower than expected at only 1.42%, arguing that it will materially slow Australia’s economy. From The AFR:

The unexpected slowdown in Australia’s population throws up yet another challenge for Treasurer Joe Hockey, who is already battling weak commodity prices and tax revenue, as well as scepticism about his forecasts of the budget returning to surplus.

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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.