Going On and On

Lucinda Holdforth's 'Going On and On: Why our longevity threatens our future' examines the unintended consequences of dramatically increased life expectancy, particularly in Australia.

Drawing on personal experience caring for ageing parents and broader demographic data, she explores pressures on healthcare, aged care, taxation, housing and intergenerational fairness.

The book argues prolonged periods of frailty and costly medical interventions strain families—especially women carers—and the public purse, while wealth and power concentrate among older cohorts.

Holdforth discusses cultural responses, from biohacking and Blue Zones to voluntary assisted dying and modest age-based policy changes, advocating for pragmatic, compassionate reforms.

The work blends reportage, memoir and policy critique to prompt national conversation about balancing longevity's benefits with social sustainability.