The Albanese government will provide a Measuring What Matters Statement to mark Australia's progress on important social, financial and environmental criteria.
Traditional economic indicators provide important insights, but not a complete picture of wellbeing. We're introducing a Measuring What Matters Statement to help us assess our national progress on a broad range of social and environmental indicators, alongside traditional measures of economic strength.
Economic measures such as GDP play an important role but they are not the only things that matter. They won't tell us, for example, whether certain groups are getting a fair share of national opportunities and prosperity. Including a broader set of measures of economic wellbeing will help us focus on factors that are important to community cohesion and longer-term prosperity.
Because we want these measures to reflect what matters to you, we want you to be involved in our public consultations about measuring what matters.
Our online Measuring What Matters virtual townhall meetings will be convenient and interactive. Sign up for either of the two sessions at the links below.
- Wednesday 24 May | 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm (AEST) | Register HERE
- Friday 26 May | 10.30 am - 11.30 am (AEST) | Register HERE
Here are some things to think about ahead of the sessions. What do we want to know?
- What are the top five issues most important for your wellbeing? What are the top five issues most important for your community’s wellbeing?
- How do your priorities, and those of your community, align with the policy themes described below?
- Which of the policy themes below are most important to you? Which are less important?
- Is there something that you think you or your community might care about in the future that you are less concerned about right now?
- When it comes to your wellbeing, what do you care about that isn’t captured below? What do you think members of your community would like to see represented in the list below that aren’t currently captured? What would you replace in the list to include it?
- Is there any additional information you would like to see in the Measuring What Matters Statement?
- Do these themes cover the key principles we want considered when policies are developed? Do they leave anything out? Would they provide adequate guidance to decision-makers?
Consultations so far have identified a set of emerging policy themes and draft descriptions of qualities which would be meaningful measures for a Wellbeing Budget. The summary below maps out those emerging measures.
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Prosperous A growing, productive and resilient economy |
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• An economy that provides opportunities for all Australians. • An economy that is more resilient and less vulnerable to shocks. • People are financially secure. • People have access to education, knowledge and training so they have the skills to fully participate in society and the economy throughout their life. • People have access to necessary services and amenities. • A sustainable budget that can continue to deliver the services Australians rely on and can buffer the economy against future shocks. • A dynamic economy, which encourages and offers opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. • An economy that seizes the opportunities from the net zero transition and digitisation. |
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Inclusive A society that shares opportunities and enables people to fully participate |
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• A society that allows all people to afford life’s essentials. • A society that provides people access to secure, well-paying jobs. • A society that supports social and economic accessibility and intergenerational mobility. • Gender equality, including at work and in the community. • A society that supports diversity and equity. • Leadership in government and business that is representative of our diverse society. |
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Sustainable A natural environment that is valued and sustainably managed in the face of a changing climate for current and future generations |
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• A healthy natural environment for current and future generations, protected from the damage being caused by climate change. • A society and economy that is resilient and adapting to a changing climate. • A society that sustainably uses our natural resources, on track to reach to net zero emissions. • A society that values the social, cultural and economic significance of our natural environment. |
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Cohesive A safe and cohesive society that celebrates culture and encourages participation |
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• A society where people feel safe at home, online and in the community. • A society that is Closing the Gap and values First Nations culture. • A society where people have the time and opportunity to participate in the arts, culture and sporting activities. • A society that has close relationships with family and friends. • A government that is trusted by the public. • People participate in the democratic process and engage in their community. • A society that supports engagement in the community through volunteering or other means. |
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Healthy A society in which people feel well and are in good physical and mental health now and into the future |
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• A society in which people are in good physical health. • A society in which people are in good mental health. • A society that ensures the health and development of its children. • A society in which people are generally satisfied with their life. • A society where people have enough time for family, friends, personal interests and their community. • A society that values the contributions of all regardless of health or ability.
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