News Brief: English
Summary
Former Australian Treasurer Peter Costello is urging the government to address the nation’s declining fertility rate, warning of a future with more deaths than births. He advocates for renewed policy discussion, reflecting on his iconic 2002 “baby bonus” which offered parents $3,000 per child.
Key Points
- Urgent Call: Peter Costello wants the falling fertility rate back on the national agenda, concerned about long-term economic and social impacts.
- Current Situation: Australia’s fertility rate is at a near-record low of 1.48 births per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1.
- Historical Policy: Costello’s 2002 “baby bonus” paid $3,000 to parents, famously urging families to have “one for the country.”
- Research Findings: A new e61 Institute report identifies a dual trend: more women are not having children, and those who do are having fewer.
- Baby Bonus Impact: Research confirms the policy increased monthly births by 6.5% and led to 6.8% more children for recipient mothers by 2022, at a significant cost per additional birth.
- Costello’s Critique: He criticises successive governments for inaction, noting that reversing demographic trends takes decades.
新闻简报：中文
摘要
澳大利亚前财长彼得·科斯特洛呼吁政府应对该国不断下降的生育率，警告未来可能出现死亡人数多于出生人数的情况。他主张重新进行政策讨论，并回顾了其2002年标志性的、为每名新生儿父母提供3000澳元的”婴儿奖金”政策。
关键点
- 紧急呼吁：彼得·科斯特洛希望将下降的生育率重新提上国家议程，担忧其长期的经济和社会影响。
- 现状：澳大利亚的生育率已降至接近历史低点的每名妇女1.48个孩子，远低于2.1的人口更替水平。
- 历史政策：科斯特洛2002年的”婴儿奖金”为每名新生儿父母提供3000澳元，并著名地呼吁家庭”为国家生一个”。
- 研究发现：e61研究所的新报告指出双重趋势：不生育的女性比例增加，而生育的女性生育的孩子数量也在减少。
- 婴儿奖金效果：研究证实该政策使月度出生率增加了6.5%，到2022年使受益母亲群体总计多生育了6.8%的孩子，但每个额外新生儿的成本很高。
- 科斯特洛的批评：他批评历届政府无所作为，并指出扭转人口趋势需要数十年时间。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-04/peter-costello-urges-government-to-consider-new-baby-bonus/106101512