On the first full day of the 2010 election campaign, Julia Gillard went to Brisbane where she made a speech about population and sustainablity in which she expressed her desire to put the brakes on the fast track to a big Australia.

“I do not believe in the idea of a big Australia, an Australia where we push all the policy levers into top gear to drive population growth as high as it can be,’’ said the Prime Minister.

“The nation’s goal should not be a big Australia but a ‘‘sustainable’’ Australia that ‘‘preserves our quality of life and respects our environment’’.

‘‘One of the things Australians often say when we’ve spent a few days in a crowded, congested city in Europe or the United States: it’s a nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there.

‘‘Friends, I will not allow Australia to ever become a country of which it is said: it’s a nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there,” she said.’

So, we have some policy which, while being a little boring, is important especially to regional towns. So, which of the following questions did the assembled media pack ask when they got some q-and-a time with the Prime Minister?

A.“Ms Gillard, let me get this straight. Are you against population growth or do you just want to slow it down to better control it?”

B. “How will we combat the ageing population if we slow migration down?”

C. “Prime Minister, the reason why Australia’s cities are choking is because successive state and federal governments have been slow to keep up with infrastructure. You mentioned the Snowy Mountain Hydro Scheme, have you considered a similar grand project where we can build the much needed infrastructure to allow for more people? 

D. “Will you be campaigning with Kevin Rudd in his electorate?

 

If you answered D, you’re correct!