With the release of its Measuring What Matters statement and framework, the Australian Government has taken the first steps to embedding wellbeing in policy and decision-making. Critical to its success will be gaining the perspectives and buy-in of the Australian public.
A national conversation on Measuring What Matters in Australia is a discussion paper that explores the benefits of Australia engaging in a national conversation on wellbeing, and outlines how it could be done successfully. It looks at international case studies like Wales, Iceland and New Zealand plus domestic examples like Tasmania, that Australia can learn from in its endeavour to gain diverse perspectives from individuals and communities across the country.
A national conversation on Measuring What Matters in Australia explores the merits of providing a space for individuals and communities across the country to consider the Australia we want for the future.
A national conversation on wellbeing would engage widely with individuals and communities to identify overarching and long-term ‘goals’ that reflect what Australians identify as the necessary components of our collective wellbeing. These goals can provide a unifying vision that all government departments can rally behind. Evidence shows that lasting change is more likely if people, institutions, and governments go on the journey together.
A national conversation would involve multiple methods of engagement, from town hall meetings to kitchen table conversations and online surveys, over an extended period to determine what really matters to people across Australia.
A national conversation on Measuring What Matters would be a nation-building endeavour, providing a foundation for the whole of government to be guided by the values that unify us.
It would arm us to:
By engaging widely with the community, we can bring along all Australians on this journey which has mutually reinforcing benefits for individuals, the community, and policy.
The paper lays out some essential elements that would set us up for success in pursuing a national conversation on wellbeing. Learning from other countries, for example, it suggests a model of management that draws on existing trust and relationships within communities and results in better participation. It also suggests using a broad range of engagement tools to ensure diverse Australians are included in the way that best works for them.
The paper recommends crucial next steps towards initiating a national conversation, including establishing an advisory group composed of key government representatives, and organisations and individuals with expertise in wellbeing policy approaches and participatory engagement.
