Rich, poor, educated, newly arrived, separated ... in 1990, researchers started following the lives of 167 babies — this is how it worked out

In short: A 34-year study tracking the lives of 167 individuals from birth has ended. Dr Dina Bowman, principal research fellow with anti-poverty organisation the Brotherhood of St. Laurence says your start doesn't determine your finish: "Social policies and programs can make a difference, do make a difference." Because of that, its key findings aren't a shock, but they illustrate important shifts that have affected society in massive ways, for example: Education remains highly valued but does not guarantee a good job: The rise of rolling short-term contracts and "gig" work in white-collar professions like teaching and academia mean even people with a high level of tertiary education, and the substantial debt that comes with it, can't get jobs that give them security in either employment or housing. "This idea of the social democracy, that the state will get behind anyone that puts their hat in the ring," says associate professor of public policy at the Australian National University, Elise Klein, ". "People talk about 'The Canberra Bubble', have real implications for people's lives," she said.