February 16, 2026
An audience of over 60 people who attended the Society’s 1338th Ordinary General Meeting at the State Library of NSW on 11 February 2026 enjoyed a comprehensive, informative, and highly-accessible presentation delivered by Dr Abul Rizvi PSM FRSN, former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and now expert commentator, on the thorny topic of immigration in Australia, titled ‘How many Australians should there be?‘
In this insightful session, Dr Rizvi examined the state of Australia’s immigration policy, underscoring the absence of a long-term, strategic plan from any major political party. He clarified how population growth is measured, distinguishing between natural increase and net overseas migration, and highlighted the frequent confusion between permanent visas and actual population movements. Since the pandemic, net overseas migration has surged while permanent migration has remained steady, creating policy challenges that are rarely addressed in public debate. Dr Rizvi noted that immigration is often blamed for housing shortages and inflation, despite limited evidence, and went on to argue that policy should be informed by both aggregate demographic impacts and the design of specific visa categories. He explained that higher net migration slows population ageing and delays the point where deaths exceed births, keeping Australia’s population younger than many developed nations.
The global context was also considered, with Australia’s trading partners facing shrinking populations and increased competition for skilled migrants. The Q&A session that followed his presentation explored topics such as the humanitarian program, regional migration, the economic role of international students, and the need for transparent communication about immigration’s benefits and costs. Dr Rizvi stressed the importance of a clear national vision and plan, warning that without one, Australia risks reactive and short-sighted policy decisions. He concludes that population projections follow a parabola—rising, peaking, and eventually declining—and that the timing and height of the peak depend on net migration settings.
A video recording of the presentation and Q&A session is now available on the Society’s YouTube channel, while a collection of images from the occasion is also available for viewing and downloading.
