The Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill: A Landmark Step Towards Long-Term Policy Planning
For too long, short-term decision-making has shaped Australia’s policies, often overlooking the needs and rights of future generations. That is set to change with the introduction of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill, tabled in Parliament by Dr Sophie Scamps MP and seconded by Mrs Bridget Archer MP.
This landmark Bill seeks to embed long-term thinking into policy decisions, ensuring that today’s leaders take responsibility for the wellbeing of future Australians.
A Framework for a Better Future
The Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill proposes several key changes to ensure a more sustainable and equitable future:
- Establishing a Federal Wellbeing Framework, ensuring policy decisions consider long-term social, economic, and environmental impacts.
- Introducing a duty for leaders to prioritise long-term planning beyond election cycles.
- Creating an independent Future Generations Commissioner, tasked with holding governments accountable for decisions that affect future Australians.
- Launching a national conversation, inviting all Australians—young and old—to contribute to shaping the policies that impact their futures.
ARACY at the Forefront of Change
ARACY has long advocated for policies that prioritise children and young people’s wellbeing. We attended the Bill’s launch to show our support for this critical initiative.
This Bill aligns with ARACY’s commitment to improving child and youth wellbeing by ensuring policymakers take a future-focused approach to decision-making. By embedding a long-term vision into policy, we can create an Australia where all young people thrive and belong.
Join the Movement
ARACY is proud to support the For Our Future Campaign, which is mobilising Australians to ‘Ask for the Bill’. The campaign calls on all Australians to demand leadership that looks beyond short-term political cycles and prioritises the wellbeing of generations to come.
The future doesn’t wait—and neither should we.
Sign the petition and follow @forourfuturecampaign to support this important step towards a fairer, more sustainable Australia.
