I COULD not agree more Paul Hayes (Letters,   August 26). Former Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock claimed we don't need a population debate because Australia would only reach 25 million in 2041. 
We are now nearly 24 million in 2015, and on target for 40 million by mid-century. The Howard/Abbott and Rudd/Gillard governments, influenced by big-business donors, have implemented policies to deliver a disastrous "big Australia" population.
Our politicians are too busy playing into the hands of the "stop the boats" architects, demonising refugees to quietly allow high "legal" immigration. As a result of business pressure, successive federal governments have paid wasteful baby bonuses, with natural growth resulting in about a third of our growth.
There is a gaping chasm in Australia's sustainability agenda - population. No federal political party or major environmental group campaigns on population, other than for rapid growth.
A bigger Australia is not a better Australia, it's worse - negative effects are there for all to see. Why are only Dick Smith and the Sustainable Population Party tackling this issue?
Susan BowesLindisfarne