September 29, 2005
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND THINK OF THE OUTBACK
Australians do ‘patriotic duty’: Birthrate up (Reuters, September, 29th, 2005)
Treasurer Peter Costello urged Australians to “do their patriotic duty” and have more children but it seems they were doing it anyway, just for fun. A new study shows the birthrate hitting its highest level in seven years.A study by Australian National University demographer Peter McDonald showed the country’s birthrate at 1.77 per woman in 2004, its highest level since 1997. McDonald believes the rate will stay around 1.8 for the next 5-10 years.[...]
“That kind of public discussion has been pretty prominent and I think that has had its effect,” he said. During a budget speech in May last year, Costello urged Australians to have more children, telling couples to “have one for your husband, one for your wife and one for your country.”
Super idea, but perhaps best not to tell the kids which was which.
Posted by Peter Burnet at September 29, 2005 9:41 AMIf you're the third born, and your name is Melbourne or Victoria, any kid should be able to figure it out.
Posted by: AllenS![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://brothersjuddblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 29, 2005 9:50 AM
Allen:
Yeah, imagine trying to cope with the third-born's resentment by telling him it was really the first-born, Sydney, that was for the country because Mom and Dad hadn't decided yet whether they wanted any for themselves.
Posted by: Peter B at September 29, 2005 9:59 AMI guess Baby Woomera is only a matter of time now.
Posted by: joe shropshire at September 29, 2005 12:07 PMPity the poor boy named Queensland when he gets to the playground
Posted by: Governor Breck at September 29, 2005 12:21 PMThey should toss in a fourth in case of dingos.
Posted by: Mike Beversluis at September 29, 2005 12:24 PMIsn't the phrase "lie back," not "close your eyes?"
Posted by: Timothy at September 29, 2005 12:56 PMYou get more kids the ususal way - without going down under.
Posted by: obc at September 29, 2005 1:14 PMMatilda.
Posted by: Chris Durnell at September 29, 2005 2:00 PMA wonderful steakhouse Peter, thinking about it has made me hungry.
Posted by: Dave W. at September 29, 2005 2:43 PMYou learn something new every day. Thanks. My wife will appreciate me getting it right, I'm sure...
Posted by: Timothy at September 29, 2005 8:01 PMPeter:
Thanks so much for the "Victorian sex factoids" link.
Good old internet.
Posted by: Brit at September 30, 2005 11:35 AMOf course, for the great-grandchildren of those Victorians it's more like: bend over and think of France.
Posted by: joe shropshire at September 30, 2005 4:54 PM