Editorial 09 May 2001

100 Going on 200 and Full of Pride

By Harry Robinson¹

We've had an orgy of self-congratulation over the Olympics and now we are relishing a spasm of the aren't-we-wonderfuls over Federation.

While in the mood, let's tickle our egos with a frisson over the pace of our growth  which is faster than those of many western nations. And we've been doing it for 50 years. For a snapshot, in 1950 there were six Brits for every one Australian. Now there are only three.

Comparing national populations is not simple: census periods vary as do boundaries. However, much earnest poring over international year books will draw a fair picture. It's not dead accurate but it is close.

    In 1950 Australia had 8 million people, now 19.5 million – an increase of 144%.
    In 1950 Canada had 14 million people, now 31.6 million – an increase of 126%
    In 1950, the US had 150 million, now 280 mill – an increase of 87%.
    In 1950, the UK had 49 million, now 60 mill, up 22%.
    In 1950 Japan had 84 million, now 127 mill, up 51%.
    In 1950 Germany/Austria had 88 mill, now 90 mill, up 2%.

Percentages are dry. Let's put it in terms of people.

    In 1950 there were 19 Americans for every 1 Australian.
    Now only 14 Americans for every 1 of us.
    In 1950, 6 Brits for every 1 of us, now only 3.
    Then Japan had 10.5 people for every Australian, now the figure is 6.5.
    Then Germany/Austria had 11 people for every one of us, now 4.6.
    And Canada? 1.75 in 1950, 1.6 today.

Here are the nub and the rub:

On the international stage we are no longer a frail child. we have grown enough strength to be a robust, young adult. Not that the big world cares or ever did. We told ourselves that we were too small, too young to play grown-up games. We told ourselves not to expect too much of our nation – not for us the science and engineering research institutes of Germany, not for us the Silicon Valley of the US or the IT explosion of India. No, no. That kind of thing was out of our reach, therefore we should not even try. Much easier not to even think about it.

It was and is more a matter of attitude and belief than numbers. As a quick frinstance, we are growing at a faster rate than the US but the Yanks are leaving us in the dust when it comes to education, technology and prosperity. They spend more on brain power. We back the power of physical production in such dubious pursuits as clearing land in Queensland. They create intellectual property and it makes them powerful.

We should feel our own strength – only 3 Brits or 4.6 Germans or just 1.6 Canadians to one of us – and believe in it. Which means investing in... but you know already what we should be investing in. The Canadians, the Germans, the Americans and even the Brits know it and are doing something about it – big time.

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¹Harry Robinson  is a free lance feature writer who has contributed to many of Australia's major publications over the past 35 years. "You could call me a tramp...I have tramped across media and from place to place so wantonly that my reward is a media swag." He can be reached at Harob@Internet.net.au.