THE NSW Senator and John Howard's former chief adviser Arthur Sinodinos has called for a big Australia policy which would include new cities in the country's sparsely populated north.
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In his maiden speech to Parliament yesterday, Senator Sinodinos pushed the controversial topic of population expansion, saying it was essential to the nation's economic wellbeing.
''I support a bigger and more sustainable Australia as a framework for growth and opportunity,'' he said.
''To meet the challenges ahead, we need a bigger, more sustainable Australia that will maximise our economic prospects and living standards, enhance our national security and allow us to project more influence in the world.''
Senator Sinodinos said legislation alone could not guarantee job security and jobs were the social dividend of a big population.
Continuing high levels of immigration would supplement a shrinking workforce in an ageing society and ''provide a large domestic market with more competition and economies of scale to compete better overseas.''
He said an increased population would enable the settlement of new areas, including northern Australia.
''We can create more global cities capable of hosting international businesses and regional headquarters,'' he said.
Kevin Rudd supported a big Australia when he was prime minster but was howled down by the opposition and when Julia Gillard replaced him, she pointedly distanced herself from the concept.
Senator Sinodinos acknowledged a big Australia would pose environmental, planning, infrastructure and other challenges but said a richer economy would be better equipped to deal with these.
The Australian Workers Union national secretary, Paul Howes, supports the concept of northern cities and welcomed Senator Sinodinos's view yesterday.
''I'm glad he agrees with AWU policy. It's a shame he never said so during 11 years in power,'' Mr Howes said.
Senator Sinodinos has just joined the Senate, replacing Helen Coonan, who retired.
With Mr Howard in the Senate to watch his speech, Mr Sinodinos also nudged the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, on industrial relations policy. Mr Abbott has ruled out any return to statutory individual agreements but Senator Sinodinos, who is known to support them, suggested having such agreements so long as they were underpinned by a safety net.
