Poor report card for Aussie children’s wellbeing

While COVID-19 has long slipped from the headlines, the stress and anxiety of the pandemic still lingers, especially among young Australians, according to health experts at the University of South Australia.

Turning ideas into action

The release of the Commonwealth Treasury’s Measuring What Matters statement is an important step towards better government decision-making and a shared vision for the Australia we want, but it’s only the first step.

Measuring what matters?

In an implicit admission that the Commonwealth budget may not measure what really matters, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is about to release what he is calling “Measuring What Matters” – Australia’s first national wellbeing framework.

Measuring what matters

Australia’s first national “wellbeing framework”, to be released by Treasurer Jim Chalmers within weeks, will provide about 50 indicators of how Australians are doing, that will then be tracked over time.

Families need homes to thrive

Economies can grow in ways that leave large numbers of families unable to access good housing or decent work, and a new approach is needed to ensure the economy benefits everyone in a nation.

Six economic myths for “wellbeing” economies to tackle

Business and society must pivot toward a new purpose of shared wellbeing on a healthy planet, but a major transformation of our world view, society and economy will be required.

From the welfare state to the wellbeing state

Developed economies have largely tackled poverty, disease, ignorance, hygiene and idleness. It’s time for a new approach to maximise wellbeing.

An economy for everyone

A transition to an economy that benefits everyone, rather than merely serving the interests of the rich, will not be easy, but it is possible.

Down in the dumps

Australians’ satisfaction with life as a whole is at its lowest level in 21 years, according to the latest Australian Unity Wellbeing Index survey.

What a wellbeing budget means for government policy

Governments have always been concerned about health, income distribution and other indicators, but bringing wellbeing formally into the budget process is a significant step in economic reform.

Measuring what matters

It wasn’t Australia’s first wellbeing budget, as the Treasurer has many economic fires to fight, but he’s taken the first step to get a sense of what we want for society and measuring ‘what matters’.

Beyond GDP

Australia’s new federal treasurer Jim Chalmers’ has the opportunity to draw a line under the Coalition’s narrow economic focus and follow the example set in New Zealand to build a well-being focused economy.