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In the Albanese government’s first term, a “wellbeing framework” was Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ passion project. He was looking for a better way to gauge Australian prosperity, beyond the usual metrics of growth, jobs and inflation. Considerations such as health, security, environmental sustainability and social cohesion were set to become crucial factors in economic policy.
So, what happened? Why does this agenda now seem to have sunk without trace? As Kate Sollis and her colleagues explain, the initial excitement fizzled amid the cost-of-living crisis and poor community consultation.
But as the government settles into its second term, with an increased majority and already mulling serious economic reform, our authors suggest the time is now right to revive the ailing wellbeing framework.
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Alison Carabine
Public Policy Editor
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Kate Sollis, University of Tasmania; Nicholas Drake, Australian National University; Paul Campbell, Australian National University
It was a passion project for the treasurer, meant to help account for fairness and wellbeing while developing policy. Why has the government stopped talking about it?
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Next week will be the 40th anniversary of the Hawke government’s tax summit, will Chalmers learn the lesson of his idol Paul Keating?
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Ian Olver, University of Adelaide
The aim is to find and treat lung cancers early, before they grow and spread, to improve the chance of survival. Here’s what’s involved.
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Andrew B. Watkins, Monash University; Ailie Gallant, Monash University; Pallavi Goswami, Monash University
Yes, it’s been raining in southeast Australia – but it’s too little, too late. Now it’s too cold to grow decent pasture. This is called a ‘green drought’.
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Robyn J. Whitaker; Mehmet Ozalp, Charles Sturt University; Suzanne Rutland, University of Sydney
These three key religious texts all offer justifications for defensive wars. But they also stress the importance of peace.
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Paul Harrison, Deakin University
Brands don’t always deliver what they promise. Regulation needs to focus on preventing harm rather than managing fallout.
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Justin M. Chalker, Flinders University
The new method could also make small-scale gold mining less poisonous for people – and the planet.
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Sung-Ae Lee, Macquarie University
The global rise of a small subset of K-dramas is impacting the entire Korean TV landscape – and it’s not all for the best.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Former secretary of the Treasury Ken Henry joins us to talk about his 40+ years experience in working to reform Australia’s tax system.
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Jasmine Titova, CQUniversity Australia; Boden Tighe, CQUniversity Australia; Melanie Hayman, CQUniversity Australia
New world-leading recommendations from the Australian Institute of Sport mark a significant step forward for women’s sport.
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Health + Medicine
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Nina Sivertsen, Flinders University; Susan Elizabeth Smith, Flinders University; Tahlia Johnson, Flinders University
Many Indigenous families around the world say hospital staff often don’t understand their cultures or even give them basic rights during maternity care.
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Environment + Energy
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Mark Bloomberg, University of Canterbury; Steve Urlich, Lincoln University, New Zealand
Even when forestry companies fully comply with current standards, slash discharge and erosion can happen. New rules must set size and location limits on clear-felling.
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Vanesa De Pietri, University of Canterbury; Paul Scofield, University of Canterbury; Trevor H. Worthy, Flinders University
A fossil discovery of an ancient relative of the Australian magpie which lived in New Zealand some 19 million years ago challenges the understanding of ‘native’ species.
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Hussein Dia, Swinburne University of Technology
If oil prices rise and stay elevated, consumers will seek better options. Could it accelerate the shift to electric vehicles?
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Science + Technology
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Kamil Zuber, University of South Australia
Preventing mould, decay and saving your phone after dropping it in water. What else can desiccants do?
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Arts + Culture
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Kirk Dodd, University of Sydney
Set in the turbulent early Roman Republic the play follows the glorious rise of Coriolanus, a terrifying war machine on the battlefield.
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Catherine Strong, RMIT University; Ben Green, RMIT University
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album has been in the Top 50 albums chart for more than 400 weeks – but it won’t be there for much longer.
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Books + Ideas
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Alice Pung, The University of Melbourne
In Alice Pung’s family, love was imbued with anxiety and fear. But in books, adults had reasoned discussions and talked to children as if their thoughts mattered.
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Michelle Cahill, University of Tasmania
Raeden Richardson’s surreal, gritty novel both dazzles and overwhelms, while showing empathy for the marginalised and their stories.
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Pamela Gurner-Hall
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University of Technology, Sydney
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