Australia's fertility rate soars to 10-year high

Australian women are giving birth more than at any time in the past decade. Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the national fertility rate stands at its highest level since 1995. A total of 259,800 babies were registered in 2005, an increase of 5500 over 2004. The fertility rate stands at 1.81 babies a woman, up from 1.77 in 2004 and close to 1995's 1.82.

The report, Births, Australia 2005, showed the average age of new mothers in 2005 was 30.7 years - 3.4 years older than mothers in 1985. Fathers were an average of 32.9 years old, 2.8 years older than dads who cradled newborns in 1985.

But the national birth rate is still not high enough to replace an ageing population. Treasurer Peter Costello yesterday welcomed the figures, but said the birth rate needed to be higher. "Unless the total fertility rate is 2.1 we are still below replacement level," Mr Costello told Parliament. "It means that the ageing of the population continues; the proportion of those of retirement age compared to those of working age continues to grow."

The fertility rate peaked in 1961, when it was 3.5. Last year, 68 per cent of babies were born to married couples, compared with 85 per cent in 1985. The report highlighted how the trend towards older mothers has gained pace over the past 25 years. The fertility rate for women aged 30-34 rose 56 per cent. For women 35-39 and 40-44, the birth rate more than doubled over the past 25 years. Women aged 30-34 had 117.5 babies per 1000 women in 2005, up from 114.4 the year before and the highest rate since 1964. And women aged 35-39 had 60.6 babies per 1000 women last year, up from 57.4 in 2004 - a higher rate than for mums aged 20-24.

The fertility of women aged 40-44 is at its highest since 1971. Last year there were 18 births to women aged 50 and over.

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Leftists revel in the obesity war

More Medicare funding for people trying to lose weight was needed to battle the obesity crisis, Labor said today.

Access Economics is to release a study today showing obesity costs Australia $21 billion a year. The study will also show that in 20 years time, nearly a third of Australians will be obese.

Labor health spokeswoman Julia Gillard said Labor would consider introducing policies banning junk food advertising on children's television if it won government. The party could also impose tough health labelling laws on food. She said Labor was waiting on the outcome of a Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) audit of junk food advertising before finalising its obesity policies. "We are certainly concerned about the impact of junk food commercials on children's pester power in the supermarket trying to make parents buy unhealthy food," Ms Gillard said. "This is a huge health crisis for this country, but (Health Minister) Tony Abbott ... is consistently on the public record as saying it's nothing to do with him and nothing to do with this Government," Ms Gillard said. "Tony Abbott refuses to do anything substantial to deal with this looming health epidemic."

She acknowledged that there was a large element of personal responsibility involved in obesity, but said the Government could still do more. Preventative obesity advice from doctors was covered by Medicare only if the patient was in their mid-40s and they already had a risk factor. "You should be able to get that advice throughout your life," Ms Gillard said. [You need a doctor to tell you to eat les??]

Government Senator Guy Barnett said Australians must change their lifestyles to avoid an obesity "tsunami". "What the figures show is that it should make all of us review our lifestyle choices for us in Australia and it also shows that these costs are getting bigger not smaller," Senator Barnett said on the Nine Network. "We've got a tsunami coming towards Australia in terms of a health crisis and it's going to swamp us if we stay the same course."

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Obesity obsession 'makes problem worse'

Which is worse: The fatties or the thinnies?

Fears that Australia's obesity debate may overshadow the problem of eating disorders have prompted the federal Labor MP Anna Burke to invite a body image expert to address politicians in Canberra today. Ms Burke said eating disorders were on the rise, particularly among school-aged children. "We can't allow this trend to continue," she said. "For too long eating disorders have been ignored at a national level."

An Access Economics report into the effects of obesity in Australia is due to be released today, measuring the lost productivity, quality of life and health costs of the condition, which afflicts 3.24 million Australians.

The federal member for Chisholm in Melbourne told smh.com.au it was important to discuss obesity, but this should not overshadow other body image debates. "There are also fears that the intense focus on obesity is actually exacerbating the problem of eating disorders - we are now hearing about kids in primary school going on starvation diets in an attempt to look thinner."

A University of Canberra psychology lecturer, Vivienne Lewis, will address a group of federal politicians at Parliament House today. Dr Lewis said politicians needed to pay more attention to anorexia and bulimia. The academic said while the incidence of eating disorders in Australia had remained relatively stable recently, the number of people worried about their bodies was on the rise. "Even though this doesn't necessarily lead them to disordered eating, it still affects their wellbeing," Dr Lewis said. "When people's wellbeing is affected, that affects their day-to-day life, it affects their work and relationships."

She also pointed to an increase in body image concerns among men, saying the rise of the fit, slim metrosexual ideal was a huge factor. "Gone are the days where the male is promoted as this big, strong masculine figure. "Now it's actually someone who's really well toned and probably is on a diet like women are." Dr Lewis called for early primary school programs promoting positive body image, improved support for intervention programs for people with eating disorders and changes to media portrayals of healthy weight. "That's a huge task," she said.

Ms Burke said Australia needed a national code of conduct on body image to ensure that the media, advertisers and the fashion industry portrayed a more healthy and diverse range of role models.

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Wearing a Jewish hat does not make you un-Australian

By bash victim Menachem Vorchheimer:



I am an Australian through and through, and PROUD. In my early childhood days of playing "Test" cricket in the back yard, I used to idealise and try to emulate the bowling style and character of Greg Matthews and the batting and patience of Allan Border. I would sell ice creams at the SCG, which got me into the game, and allowed me to soak up the atmosphere and watch the game that I loved. In the winter months I would do the same, sell snacks at different venues so I could watch my sporting heroes on the field, particularly my club the Balmain Tigers -- with the greats such as Gary Jack and Wayne Pearce. I remember my first introduction to AFL at the SCG in the 1980s and seeing Warwick Capper, with all his flamboyance, style and personality.

These people were not just great sportsmen to me, but people who in my eyes kept their composure on and off the field, and were my role models. When I moved with my family to Melbourne in 1988 I naturally followed the Sydney Swans. It wasn't their best years, and I stood proud while most of my friends, who were Carlton supporters, rubbed it in. Patience, however, paid off, with Sydney winning the premiership in 2005, and making the finals and playing a fantastic game in the 2006 Grand Final.

In the summer months, I will often go with my family to the beach at Lorne, or down to the bush and stay in the national park at Wilsons Promontory, where I would, with thousands of other Australians, stay over the Christmas and New Year period.

But deep down inside me is a desire to grow, educationally and professionally. I completed my VCE in Melbourne, after beginning my secondary school days at Sydney Boys High. I later attended Monash University, and have undertaken several post-graduate courses since. I yearn to grow in my knowledge, and Australia provides no boundaries for those with a desire.

On a business level, I have interacted with thousands of people from all types of backgrounds and demographics within society, with whom I am able to share a bond because my Australian heritage imbues a positive outlook on life, that allows one to share a couple of laughs, maybe a glass of cold beer, and encourages me to "have a go".

I love Australia, because it allows me to live as a person, without, until now, fear of persecution or victimisation. However, I know deep in my heart, that what happened to me was un-Australian, and those who perpetrated these acts and or sympathise with them, do not deserve to be called Australian. I am an Australian and PROUD and shall always remain so.

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It should be noted that it was intervention by outraged Australian bystanders that enabled Mr Vorchheimer's attackers to be caught