# Hastie open to baby bonus as births fall

> Liberal MP Andrew Hastie backs financial incentives to boost fertility as Australia faces more deaths than births within 40 years.
- Title: Hastie open to baby bonus as births fall · the Guardian
- Summary: Liberal MP Andrew Hastie backs financial incentives to boost fertility as Australia faces more deaths than births within 40 years. Andrew Hastie said he is…
- Keywords: andrew hastie, baby bonus, fertility rate, ageing population, intergenerational report, liberal party, news, world, Hastie, open, baby, bonus
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/sep/21/anthony-albanese-new-york-jim-chalmers-intergenerational-report-coalition-one-nation-ntwnfb
- Published: 2026-09-21T07:41:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andrew hastie, baby bonus, fertility rate, ageing population, intergenerational report, liberal party, news, world
## Report warns of demographic shift
An intergenerational report released today found Australia will have more deaths than births in forty years, examining challenges of managing an ageing population amid rapid change and lower economic growth.
## AI will reshape economy and society
The report outlines how Australia is at the cusp of a new and uncertain age of artificial intelligence that will shape the economy and society over the coming four decades.
## Fertility rate hits historic low
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie said Australia's fertility replacement rate is projected to drop to a historic low of about one point three nine, with family formation delayed because people cannot afford homes soon enough.

> our fertility replacement rate is projected to drop further, to a historic low at the moment of about 1.39
## Hastie open to baby bonus scheme
Asked if he would support a Peter Costello-style baby bonus to incentivise Australians to have children, Hastie said he was pretty open minded on the proposal.

> pretty open minded
## Hastie backs family formation support
The Liberal MP noted mixed economist views on the baby bonus but said he would support anything allowing young Australians to form families sooner and get into homes earlier.

> support anything that allows young Australians to form families soon enough
## Personal stake in family policy
Hastie, who has three children, said he would love other Australians to have kids and that part of the challenge is getting them into homes sooner and making the economy work for them.

> I have three kids myself, they are a great blessing, I love children. I'd love other Australians to have kids as well
## Key takeaway

Andrew Hastie said he is open minded on a baby bonus to encourage Australians to have children, as an intergenerational report warns of declining births and an ageing population.