Wednesday 14 October 2026
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SBS debate brings together childfree advocates and conservative commentators over Australia's falling birth rate

The Feed program to explore why more people are choosing not to have children and whether having kids should still be a priority

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
SBS's youth-focused current affairs program The Feed will host a debate between three childfree advocates and three conservative commentators, prompted by Australia's declining birth rate. The participants will discuss the question: 'Why are more people choosing a childfree life, and should having kids still be a priority?'

The debate, produced and moderated by journalist Elfy Scott, features an unusual mix of voices. Advocating for the childfree lifestyle are model and actor Ellie Gonsalves, who went viral in 2023 for listing 118 reasons she does not want children; comedian and One Nation critic Andrew Lewis; and Dita, a nurse and content creator who posts about racism and family violence.

On the opposing side are single mother and anti-abortion activist Elspeth McKellar, who creates content for Joanna Howe's organisation Bird Flip; George Mamalis, South Australian head of the late Charlie Kirk's right-wing advocacy group Turning Point USA; and Stephanie Bastiaan, a mother of six and head of advocacy at Women's Forum.

Scott said there were "surprising moments of agreement from both sides of the panel", though she did not elaborate on specific points of consensus. The program is scheduled to air on SBS.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Australia's birth rate has been trending downward, raising questions about demographic sustainability and economic impacts.
  • The debate reflects a deeper cultural divide over family formation, reproductive rights, and societal expectations.
  • Policy responses to falling fertility rates are being debated globally, from pronatalist incentives to social support structures.

Background

Australia, like many developed nations, has experienced a sustained decline in fertility rates over recent decades. This trend has prompted public discussion about the factors driving people to have fewer or no children, including financial pressures, housing affordability, climate concerns, and changing social norms around parenthood. The SBS debate adds a sharply polarised dimension by pairing critics of the childfree movement with its advocates.

Key Perspectives

[Childfree advocates]: Argue that choosing not to have children is a valid personal decision, often citing financial freedom, environmental concerns, and lifestyle preferences. They push back against societal pressure to reproduce. [Conservative commentators]: Maintain that childbearing remains a social priority and often link declining birth rates to broader cultural and moral shifts, including what they see as the erosion of traditional family values. [Critics/Skeptics]: May question whether such polarised panels can produce meaningful dialogue or whether they risk entrenching existing divisions without addressing underlying structural issues such as housing and childcare costs.

What to Watch

  • Audience and social media reaction to the debate, particularly around any unexpected points of agreement.
  • Whether SBS or other broadcasters schedule further debates on demographic policy.
  • Any policy announcements from federal or state governments responding to birth rate trends.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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