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Irrigated agriculture in the Basin contributes 42 % of New South Wales 's grapes and half of Australia 's rice production . Trade with the region has continued to grow to the extent that today Asia accounts for more than half of Australia 's exports . Half of Australia 's population was under the age of 26 ( the median age is now 35.4 ) and the ranks of what was then the peak child-bearing age for women - 18-25 - were growing rapidly .