Dr Kevin Daly - Populate or Perish

SUMMARY:
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I was really excited to share this talk from Dr Kevin Daly — a sharp, well-informed academic from the University of Western Sydney — on Australia’s population story. In this talk Kevin walks us through where our population growth has come from, why net overseas migration (especially temporary visa arrivals like international students and working holidaymakers) has become the dominant driver, and what that means for our ageing population and economy. He uses ABS data to show that natural increase has been fairly steady while migration has produced the big spikes in recent years, with most temporary arrivals aged 15–34. Kevin also explores the policy choices we face: how we might respond to an ageing age-structure, what alternatives exist to ‘replace’ labour and skills, and why the labour market has historically guided migration settings. This is a thoughtful, evidence-led talk that gently challenges assumptions and invites debate — perfect for anyone interested in demography, migration policy, economics or Australia’s future. Tune in, think about the trade-offs, and join the conversation!

RUMBLE DESCRIPTION:
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I’m thrilled to bring you Dr Kevin Daly’s talk “Populate or Perish” — a concise, data-driven look at Australia’s recent population trends and what they mean for our future. Kevin, an associate head at the University of Western Sydney with deep experience in finance and the real economy, walks the room through ABS figures and explains a few simple but powerful points: natural increase (births minus deaths) has been relatively stable, while net overseas migration has produced the big fluctuations in population growth over the past decade. Much of that migration rise has been fuelled by temporary visa categories — international students, business entrants and working-holiday makers — and many of those arrivals are aged 15–34. International students alone make up a very large share of the temporary cohort.

Kevin outlines the implications: an ageing age-structure, labour market pressures, and tough policy choices about skills, housing, infrastructure and community cohesion. He doesn’t offer easy answers, but he does present alternatives and practical ways to think about replacing labour and managing demographic change. The talk is evidence-led, clear and respectful of differing views — ideal for students, policy wonks, small business owners, and anyone curious about where Australia is headed.

If you want plain-language analysis backed by data, this is for you. Watch, share, and let us know your thoughts — do you prioritise skilled migration, boosting fertility, or investing more in automation and training? Subscribe for more talks like this and add your take in the comments.

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