Read time: 5 mins
Based on A FAIR GO FOR ALL: Intergenerational Justice Policy Survey, by Susan Harris Rimmer, Elise Stephenson and Taylor Hawkins, published May 2024.
Most Australians agree that the interests of future generations should be central to policymaking, a new Intergenerational Justice Policy Survey shows. However, they lack confidence in the nation’s ability to tackle long-term problems like housing affordability and climate adaptation.
Read time: 5 mins
Based on A FAIR GO FOR ALL: Intergenerational Justice Policy Survey, by Susan Harris Rimmer, Elise Stephenson and Taylor Hawkins, published May 2024.
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Australians of all demographics and political backgrounds support long-term visions for the future.
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They see topics like education and climate change as areas of policy-making that are a ‘natural’ fit for taking long-term (intergenerational) approach but believe long-term policymaking should not only be restricted to these domains.
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A Commissioner for Future Generations, improved intergenerational reporting, and a Budget Statement for Future Generations could be the foundations of better intergenerational policymaking.
Australians want policymakers to prioritise the long-term interests of future generations, according to new research.
Healthcare, youth wellbeing, and jobs were respondents’ highest priorities when asked what they would like to see improve in Australia over the next 10 to 20 years.
The survey was conducted by EveryGen – a research coalition that advocates for a Future Generations Act in Australia. They investigated the perspectives of more than 1000 Australians from a range of backgrounds, finding broad support for intergenerational policymaking.
It also revealed widespread concern that Australian policymaking isn’t prepared to achieve intergenerational justice.
Asked whether Australian politicians generally think too short-term when making decisions, 84 per cent of those surveyed agreed. However, young people (who are potentially much more likely to benefit from long-term policymaking and planning) are in fact much less likely to strongly agree to this statement than older people.
Respondents across all demographics were pessimistic about Australia’s policy future – 83 per cent agreed that Australia ‘won’t solve the political problems that require a longer-term perspective.’
Most Australians are also unlikely to believe that policymakers have the skill and knowledge to tackle long-term problems like climate adaptation and housing – though young people are more optimistic about this on average.
There are also differences between genders. Women were more likely to focus on social progress, and more likely to discuss gender equality, climate change, peace, and eliminating racism. Women were also more likely to use words like family, kids, children and grandchildren when asked about future generations. Men, on the other hand, were more likely to mention technological change, particularly in the context of improving healthcare.
Across all demographics, the evidence showed strong support for intergenerational thinking in policymaking.
Options to improve intergenerational outcomes include appointing a Commissioner for Future Generations, improving intergenerational reporting, and adopting resilience strategies at all levels of government.
The research suggests a body, group of experts, and/or set of criteria that independently evaluates legislation against its impact on intergenerational justice is also worth exploring.
Healthcare, youth wellbeing, and jobs were respondents’ highest priorities when asked what they would like to see improve in Australia over the next 10 to 20 years.
