Tag Archives: oceania

Melbourne no longer on track to be Australia’s largest city

Melbourne is no longer on track to overtake Greater Sydney's population, meaning Sydney will retain its position as Australia's largest city for at least another decade.

The government's annual Population Statement had previously projected that Melbourne's population would surpass Sydney's by 2031-32, despite the sharp exodus the city experienced during the pandemic.

However, the latest statement notes that a review of overseas migration flows has changed that.

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Melbourne skyline, Australia

"Having reassessed state-level overseas migration patterns, the Centre no longer projects Greater Melbourne's population to overtake Greater Sydney's by 2034–35," the statement said.

Other cities are set to experience a population boom, with Greater Brisbane projected to be home to more than half of Queensland's population from 2025–26 for the first time since 1978.

As of 2023–24, Greater Sydney's population stands at 5.6 million, making it the largest city in the country, with 66 per cent of New South Wales' total population.

However, its growth rate is expected to slow, dropping to 2.3 per cent in 2023–24 and 1.7 per cent in 2024–25.

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A photo of shoppers in the Queen St Mall. Population, economy, demographics, people, Australia, generic

Meanwhile, Greater Melbourne's population is currently 5.4 million, comprising 77 per cent of Victoria's population.

Like Sydney, Melbourne's growth rate is also projected to decline, reaching 2.9 per cent in 2023–24 and 2.2 per cent in 2024–25.

Australia's population is projected to grow from 27.1 million people in March 2024 to 31.3 million people by 2034–35.

The annual population growth is forecast to decline from 2.1 per cent in 2023–24 to 1.2 per cent by 2034–35.

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Lismore’s library reopens, three years on from devastating floods

The photos showed piles and piles of sodden books stacked up in mountains outside Lismore's library.

They're the images that will be forever etched in the nation's memory of the floods that ravaged the town and the NSW Northern Rivers region in 2022. 

Around 30,000 books from Lismore Library were destroyed as the floodwaters surged to 1.6 metres, reaching its collection on the second floor for the first time.

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The floods destroyed 30,000 books in the library's collection.

Now, in a display of resilience and hope, Lismore's main library was reopened to customers for the first time since the floods today, as the building's extensive $5.6 million renovations near completion.

Lismore Area Librarian Michael Lewis said the finishing touches were still being put on the Lismore Library, but the council was responding to community demand to re-open the space as soon as possible.

"We know how important the library is to our community, which is why we decided to welcome them back despite the final works yet to be finalised," he said.

"With the elevator still not operational, we have temporarily relocated a selection of services from the higher levels to the ground floor."

After the floods, a pop-up Library was opened in town and a children's library operated from the Lismore Central Shopping Centre.

These temporary sites have now closed.

Lismore Area Librarian Michael Lewis, Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg, State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and young local Library customer Caleb Herd.Richmond Tweed Acting Regional Library Manager Lucy Kinsley is seen here restocking the library in 2023 with books donated by Australia Post.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said it was exciting to see the main building operational again.

"Like many people, I vividly remember the disturbing picture of the large pile of water-soaked books outside the library reaching up to the second story," he said.

"While we are not quite there in terms of the rebuild, the public is keen to return to their treasured library, as is the staff." 

The renovated library has been designed to be sturdier and more flood-resistant.

Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, said the reopening of Lismore Library was a powerful symbol of the community's rebuild.

"Almost three years on, and today we see not just a restoration of what was lost, but a transformation that ensures this space is stronger and better prepared for the future," Hogan said.

An official opening for Lismore Library will take place in March, once the renovation work is complete.

Meet the three billionaire backers donating millions to the Liberals and Labor

Australia's major political parties received over $2 million in donations from three of the country's wealthiest billionaires last year. 

Billionaire packing giant Anthony Pratt, chairman of Pratt Industries and Visy, was Labor's largest individual benefactor in the previous financial year after donating $1 million to the ALP.

Pratt's donation was the biggest among either party for the 2023-24 period, while the Liberal Party's largest donor was Meriton Properties, which donated $590,000 across the federal, NSW and Victorian Liberal party branches.

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Meriton Properties is owned by billionaire real estate developer Harry Triguboff.

The Coalition was also handed $500,000 from mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, who became the party's second-biggest donor through donations made to multiple party accounts via her company Hancock Prospecting.

All up, Labor received $1.3 million in reportable donations while the Coalition lagged only slightly behind at $1.2 million.

The Nationals were given around $1 million in donations.

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Labor and the ALP weren't the only parties to enjoy six-figure donations over the period.

The Greens were given a total of $575,000 across various branches from famous Gold Coast gambler and mathematician Duncan Turpie.

Teal-backer Robert Keldoulis and his investment firm Keldoulis Investments Pty Limited gave the biggest donation of the year, with a cool $1.1 million donated to Climate 200 during the financial year.

Meanwhile, the largest individual donor for Pauline Hanson's One Nation was stockbroker Angus Aitken, who gave $50,000.

Aitken also gave $230,000 to Liberal Party vehicles.

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The donations were made public today in filings released by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), which tracked reportable donations made to political parties.

The AEC receipts also include public funding and other payments which aren't donations.

The Coalition took in $11 million worth of receipts during the 2023-24 period, while Labor raked in just over $15 million.

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