Dr Liz Allen
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drdemography.com
Dr Liz Allen
@drdemography.com
5.3K followers 370 following 1.3K posts
Demographer | Demography, populations, social trends, surveys, data, methods, census. Educator, researcher. | Author ‘The Future of Us’.

The original Dr Demography!

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drdemography.com
‘We have disconnected our humanity from housing’ www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
As an ageing nation, where baby boomers have become a frequent target of a cross-generational blame game, Dr Allen thinks the current housing debate - and policy approach — needs an urgent overhaul. "Australians are at war with each other in an intergenerational sense and that undermines our future, it actually doesn't help the cause," she says. "We've got a whole-of-system housing mismatch and at each stage of the life cycle, we have a problem. This is not just a young person problem - don't be fooled into thinking that.
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
drdemography.com
Xmas comes a month early for #Census2026au watchers
Tuesday 25 November 2025 11:30am AEDT | First release 2026 Census topics and data release plan Presents the final topics included in the 2026 Census and the plans of how and when this information will be released. Reference period 2026
November 3, 2025 at 12:54 AM
drdemography.com
Stats NZ is moving away from traditional census taking and is seeking public input on the new era of enumeration www.stats.govt.nz/news/public-...
Public consultation opens on design of the next census 03 November 2025, 11:00am Stats NZ is seeking feedback on the proposed data collection and content for the next census. New Zealand is moving to a census model that prioritises the use of information already collected by government, known as administrative (admin) data, supported by information collected through a new annual census survey and other tailored
November 2, 2025 at 11:07 PM
drdemography.com
My colleagues and I are embarking on the first history of grandparenting in Australia, you can be involved too grandparentsaustralia.net
Liz selfie of a zoom screen with the grandparenting national snap shot
October 30, 2025 at 11:57 PM
drdemography.com
ANU appears to be in continual breach of FOI requirements to publish documents on its website. Right to Know is being relied on by the University, possibly to circumvent access to vital information, in potential breach of the law. www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-i...
Agencies are required to publish details of documents released under the FOI Act within ten working days of an applicant being given access to the documents. The disclosure log requirement does not apply to documents released under the FOI Act containing personal or business information that ANU considers would be unreasonable to publish.
October 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
drdemography.com
Health inequalities by ethnicity exist in Australia, but data typically used to examine such things - e.g. country of birth - tends to hide disparities. Here my colleagues and I explore this issue and highlight the need for richer ethnicity data. ijpds.org/article/view...
Using linked Census ancestry data to examine all-cause mortality by ethnicity in Australia
October 26, 2025 at 11:31 PM
drdemography.com
Standing up for childhood would be ending poverty, raising income supports, making *all* healthcare free and accessible, mental health care for all, affordable and secure housing tor everyone, funding public education fully, ending discrimination, ensuring economic justice…
Opinion Social media As the world watches, Australia stands up for childhood Decisive regulation of social media is akin to the enfranchisement of women as a piece of revolutionary social policy reform. Peter Hartcher Political and international editor
October 17, 2025 at 9:19 PM
drdemography.com
With a shed load of money?!
NSW residential property How Tara turned a 'derelict' inner west shop into a soulful family home From a burnt, graffiti-addled eyesore to a home the neighbourhood is proud of, this renovation was not for the faint of heart.
October 16, 2025 at 10:06 PM
drdemography.com
The ANU has lost its way, it ‘…has forgotten its past; or more precisely,…its corporate memory has been receding…’ And with that comes dunderhead decisions and cack-handed actions that have undermined the institution, especially since the pandemic. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt...
ANU THE world university rankings. Major slide for ANU around 2020.
October 11, 2025 at 11:30 PM
drdemography.com
Hey, researchers/commentators! Narrative that the wrong kind of women are having too many kids while the right kind of women are having too few is grotesque. Statistical models are abstract and fail to account for the thing that makes us human: humanity. www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
"That is a real problem in every western country: middle class women do not have enough kids. Women in the welfare system have lots of kids," Mr Abbott said. "If you're very wealthy you can afford to have as many kids as you want."
October 7, 2025 at 1:15 AM
drdemography.com
Just got home from three days at the @nteunion.bsky.social 2025 council conference. Together we are strong! Proud to be Union! Talk of governance dominated the conference. Grand things are coming. Watch this space. @nteuact.bsky.social 💪🏽✊🏽
Liz selfie in a lift. Wearing a proud to be union tee.
October 4, 2025 at 9:32 AM
drdemography.com
Is the ANU cooking the books? It appears so.

ANU financial crisis ‘claims are directly contradicted by the audited financial statements found in the ANU
Annual Report’, report shows. @australiainstitute.org.au australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/u...
The Australia Institute Research that matters. Cooking the books at the Australian National University An analysis of the ANU accounts Audited financial statements show that the ANU made a 'profit' of $90 million in 2024 and $136 million in 2023. Despite such strong financial results, ANU leadership justifies cuts to staffing and courses by pointing to 'underlying operating deficits'. The underlying deficit changes the audited result in ways that cannot be justified. They appear designed to present a 'crisis' that is contradicted by the audited financial statements. David Richardson and Richard Denniss
October 2, 2025 at 4:10 AM
drdemography.com
Latest ANU Council vote is a proxy no confidence vote in the Council and Chancellor. My good mate James Blackwell is campaigning like a champion. James is fearless, strong, and a fierce advocate for integrity. www.anu.edu.au/about/govern...
I'm running because the Chancellor and current Council are not the leaders we need. They created this crisis we endured - while they stay, ANU's reputational damage continues. Voting for me is voting no confidence in the Chancellor and Council. Guided by Yindyamarra, I want to continue the work of my friends and colleagues Liz Allen and Francis Markham, and be your voice on Council. I also want to ensure Indigenous voices are better heard across ANU.
September 23, 2025 at 10:08 AM
drdemography.com
Details about the ANU special governance committee is live. The investigation committee reports to Council on reputational risks and is to wrap up by the time the Chancellor leaves office. A community member and a journo informed me. First I’m seeing it. www.anu.edu.au/about/govern...
Special Governance Committee Council committees On 19 August 2025, Council resolved to establish the Special Governance Committee to manage the University's response to the matters raised in the Senate Committee hearing on 12 August 2025. The Committee operates under a Charter, as approved by the Council. Member Category Member Chair Members Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO Professor Joan Leach Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Christine Nixon External Advisor
September 23, 2025 at 2:31 AM
drdemography.com
‘At ANU, that responsibility lies with Chancellor Julie Bishop. If ANU is serious about rebuilding trust, it cannot do so while Julie Bishop remains in the chair.’ - Tony Sheldon (Senate whip) www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Australian National University's year of turmoil happened while Julie Bishop was responsible for the institution's governance, and her culpability means she must now resign, says Tony Sheldon, chief whip of the Senate. "Ultimately, the responsibility [for ANU] rests with the chancellor, Julie Bishop. She presided over this continued period of dysfunction, and it was under her watch that catastrophic failures occurred," Sheldon told The Australian Financial Review.
September 22, 2025 at 5:17 AM
drdemography.com
University governance dysfunction perfectly highlighted. Public uni councils are fed carefully curated information from their chancellors and vice chancellors; given talking points and manipulated realities. Council members don’t know what they don’t know. www.theage.com.au/national/uni...
This one conversation worried me most. Me: Are you worried about the impact of all the negative publicity (course cancellations, mass staff sackings) on the reputation of UTS? Council member: No. It's all misinformation and disinformation. Poor Andrew Parfitt [the vice chancellor]. Me: Not sure what you mean. The university is ditching its education degree. Council member: That's not true. Reader, it is true, although UTS suggests it is still subject to consultation. Eye roll.
September 19, 2025 at 10:46 PM
drdemography.com
Still no instructions from the ANU on what a stop work order means, despite an email after 3pm this afternoon.
Dear Colleagues, Further to my email this morning I do want to acknowledge the psychosocial health impacts that have arisen from Renew ANU and to outline the immediate measures we are putting in place to address these. I have met this morning with the COO and colleagues from WHS to review the matters raised in the Provisional Improvement Notice that was escalated through the CASS Health and Safety Representative. I have also met with the corresponding HSR to listen again to his very serious and valid concerns and I thank him sincerely again for raising these matters so promptly. We had a very productive meeting and have agreed to several concrete remediations, including improved services, and steps forward that we intend to action together this afternoon. I have made clear to him my unconditional support for affected staff and my determination to relieve their distress as quickly as possible.
September 17, 2025 at 6:16 AM
drdemography.com
Jaw-dropping response from the CASS Dean. Appears to be a misinterpretation of the WHS provisions and cease work direction. The WHS direction covers all CASS work. The WHS direction is about keeping people safe from serious and imminent risks to health and safety.
[CASS] Stop Work on Renew ANU Activities - CASS Dear Colleagues A Health and Safety Representative (HSR) has issued a Cease Work Order for work related to Renew ANU in CASS. The HSR has communicated to the University that Cease Work Order has been issued because they believe there are immediate risks to psychological health and safety. Effective immediately: • If your work, meeting or email is about Renew ANU, please stop that work immediately and continue with other business as usual tasks. • If you're unsure whether a task relates to Renew ANU, please check with your manager or WHS. This pause remains in place while the University seeks to further investigate and remediate the concerns communicated to us. I will keep you updated. If you're in distress, please seek support: EAP/Adviser to Staff, your GP, or crisis support (000 if there is immediate danger; Converge:1300 687 327; Lifeline 13 11 14; Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636). Thanks for putting safety first. I will write again later today with a more detailed update. Kind regards Professor Bronwyn Parry FRSA Dean, ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
September 17, 2025 at 2:29 AM
drdemography.com
Over 40 Australian musicians and professionals have joined forces to fight proposed cuts to the ANU School of Music
Jimmy Barnes, Genesis Owusu, Dave Faulkner from Hoodoo Gurus, The Church's Steve Kilbey, Frenzal Rhomb's Lindsay McDougall, The Voice Australia star Lucy Sugerman, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers' Scarlett McKahey, classical pianist Simon Tedeschi, live music venue Gang Gang, and recording house Infidel Studios, are among the names who have joined the call to action.
September 16, 2025 at 11:44 PM
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CONTENT WARNING!

‘Workers affected by Renew ANU remove themselves from the hazardous work environment and cease all work that may expose them to the above-mentioned hazards.’ nteuau.sharepoint.com/sites/Public...
CEASE WORK ORDER Issued under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth), Section 85 To: The Australian National University - College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) Executive From: , Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Evidence gathered through staff reports and HSR investigation shows that the Renew ANU change process in CASS has resulted in serious and ongoing harm to staff health and safety. Staff have reported: • Fatigue • Low Job Control, Job Insecurity, and Poor Support • Poor Organisational Change Management and Organisational Justice • Aggression, Bullying, and Harassment
September 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
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BREAKING | ANU staff in the College of Arts and Social Sciences have received a Cease Work Order due to dangerous working conditions. Under the WHS Act staff will be paid while this order is in place. The order seeks to protect lives and wellbeing.
N E T U National Tertiary Education Union Cease Work Order in CASS A CASS Health and Safety Representative (HSR) has ordered that unsafe work cease due to psychosocial hazards and psychological injury resulting from Renew ANU NTEU is supporting the HSR and members in CASS. This email contains information on your rights in this situation
September 16, 2025 at 10:15 PM
drdemography.com
‘The issues that this university is facing are systemic, they are multiple, they are not confined to one individual. This university is in a governance crisis.’ Will Burfoot, ANUSA president.
September 16, 2025 at 8:32 AM
drdemography.com
ANU leadership and governance are in crisis.

‘I've said many times in the past that I think that given the investigation is underway, it seems like any other workplace someone would step aside while those investigations happened.’ - @davidpocock.bsky.social

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
September 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
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‘…the former vice-chancellor can't
be blamed for all the mess’ at ANU - @lachlanclohesy.bsky.social
Under Julie Bishop's chancellorship, the ANU's financial position has deteriorated. The chancellor has presided over two rounds of mass job cuts - the ANU Recovery Plan and now Renew ANU. The university's rankings have deteriorated. The ANU is beset by regulators - TEQSA, the Fair Work Ombudsman, and the ANAO are all investigating the ANU. We think Comcare, the WHS regulator, should be investigating too.
September 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
drdemography.com
‘Universities invoke the rhetoric of business discipline, but they lack the governance structures that give that discipline bite’ - Sinclair Davidson
In Australia we are seeing the results of running universities like businesses without adequate governance: wage theft from staff, fee theft from students, and the academic equivalent of shrinkflation. Students pay more but get less. Face-to-face teaching is reduced, final exams are replaced by group assignments, and the bulk of teaching is done by poorly paid sessional staff on short-term contracts with no security or career path. This is not business efficiency; it is exploitation dressed up as managerial necessity. Meanwhile, senior management itself lacks the kinds of incentives that would exist in genuine businesses. Many university leaders [https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/university-boss-got-a-240k-pay-rise-over-three-years- 20250902-p5mrth] are on five-year contracts with no continuing role once their term is up. In the corporate world, executives would hold stock or be awarded options, giving them a direct stake in the long-term performance of the enterprise. In universities, by contrast, vice chancellors and deputy vice chancellors often move on before the costs of their decisions materialise. They capture the prestige of announcing grand initiatives but rarely face the consequences when those initiatives fail. The net result is the worst of both worlds. Universities invoke the rhetoric of business discipline, but they lack the governance structures that give that discipline bite. They operate without the checks that private ownership provides, yet subject staff and students to the cost-cutting and efficiency drives that profit-maximising firms pursue. The result is waste at the top and insecurity at the
September 15, 2025 at 9:24 AM