20 000 000 Australians on 4 December, Nov 2003

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MEDIA RELEASE

November 28, 2003
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
131/2003



Media Alert.......News Diary Event.......on 4 December


Attention: News Editors and Chiefs-of-Staff


20 000 000 Australians on 4 December

On 4 November the Australian Statistician announced that, using all the latest available information, it is estimated that Australia's population will reach 20 000 000 on 4 December, 2003.

To help celebrate this milestone the Federal Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello, MP, will present the keynote speech at an event in Canberra at 10:00am that morning.

The event - at ABS House, 45 Benjamin Way, Belconnen - will include the following highlights that provide content, action and symbolism for this story.
  • Arrival of Treasurer. Greeted by school children.
  • ABS Choir leads the National Anthem.
  • Professor Graeme Hugo, University of Adelaide, provides historical review of Australia's population change.
  • Keynote speech by the Treasurer.
  • Treasurer unveils "20 000 000 Australians" sign.
  • Photo session, includes 112 children from Flynn School who will mark out 20 000 000.

Media note: you will need to have a high vantage point to capture this image. For this reason Parliament House television crews are best served by a pool camera on the second floor, West, Sky-bridge and are working to organise that. Still photographers will need to go without delay from the ground floor to that position after the Treasurer unveils the sign. You will need security passes and an escort, and these can be arranged in advance (on your arrival at ABS House please).

For safety reasons, it is obligatory that all cameras be used with safety straps as you will need to shoot downwards over a balcony rail above the children and guests.

The available photo will consist of 112 children and the Treasurer marking-out the number
20 000 000. Behind them, people holding printed panels will flip them between front and back, reading as it does so: "20 000 000 Australians".

If you intend to come to the event you are politely requested to be here at 9:45am. The event is scheduled to finish at 10:50am. Morning tea will be available after the event.

A splitter box and camera riser platform are available.

Australian population clock