Jim's Mowing Founder Proposes 'Anti-Cocaine' Drug to Boost Australia's Birth Rate

Jim Penman, the founder of Jim's Mowing and a father of at least 10 children, has put forth a controversial theory and proposed solution for Australia's declining birth rate: a drug he refers to as 'anti-cocaine.' Penman believes the historic drop in fertility is linked to an overabundance of dopamine-inducing activities outside of traditional family structures.

Data released in August by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that the nation's birth rate fell to a record low of 1.48 births per woman in 2024. This figure is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 births, which has been the trend since the mid-1970s. A temporary increase to 1.69 was observed in 2021 following COVID-19 lockdowns, but rates have declined annually since.

Penman, who is seeking election for the Northcote seat in Victoria's state election, has stated that his private research organization, Epigenes, is funding the development of a drug designed to counteract excessive dopamine surges. He contends that readily available sources of dopamine, such as gambling, alcohol, drugs, junk food, pornography, and social media, make the prospect of having children and building a family less stimulating by comparison. "On an individual level we need to get rid of these dopamine surges causing the problems - sex, porn, social media, gambling," Penman told News.com.au. "A more realistic solution is to develop treatments so things like family and children become more attractive."

Epigenes is collaborating with La Trobe University on this research. Penman suggested that such a treatment could also have significant benefits for anxiety, depression, and alcoholism.

However, demographers have challenged Penman's hypothesis. Dr. Liz Allen of the Australian National University stated that pinning the decline in birth rates on a "dopamine overload" is inaccurate. "Let's be clear here, Australians are not foregoing children because they are hedonistic and selfish," Allen told 7News. She emphasized that the declining fertility rates are a complex issue driven by broader socioeconomic factors, including the rising cost of living, housing affordability challenges, and global instability.