The Times Australia
Mirvac Harbourside
The Times World News

.

Despite what you’ve read, Jim Chalmers’s wellbeing framework hasn’t been shelved – if anything, it’s been strengthened

  • Written by Warwick Smith, Honorary Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Melbourne

Reports in The Australian[1] suggesting Treasurer Jim Chalmers has shelved his budget wellbeing framework, known as Measuring What Matters[2], are incorrect.

The framework is alive and well, and making steady (if slow) progress.

Also reported was the Coalition’s intention to scrap the framework if it wins the next election, with its treasury spokesman Angus Taylor quoted as saying the government should instead focus on “lower inflation and lower interest rates”.

The idea that we shouldn’t be thinking about broader measures of progress because we need to concentrate on what’s in front of us impoverishes our view of what’s possible.

It’s important to measure what matters

The cost of living is certainly paramount. But if all we ever do is address the issue immediately in front of us, we will forever stumble from one crisis to the next.

Actually, if we had had a wellbeing framework in place before the current cost of living crisis, it might have been less likely to develop.

Most of us would agree that the things in the government’s Measuring What Matters framework matter, such as security, prosperity and cohesiveness.

But some of the information in last year’s statement was dated[3], some dating back to the years before COVID.

Commonwealth Treasury[4] The framework has two parts: a measurement dashboard and a statement. The dashboard[5] presents data on 50 “key indicators” the treasury believes should supplement (although not replace) the standard measures of economic progress. The statement[6] is a report of the outcomes presented in the dashboard and of government progress toward embedding the framework in decision-making. Last month Treasurer Chalmers announced responsibility for the dashboard would move[7] from the treasury to the Bureau of Statistics and that the Bureau would get extra funding to run an expanded general social survey every year to improve the quality and timeliness of the data. The statement would remain the responsibility of the treasury but would be released only every three years instead of annually. The next would be published in 2026 incorporating the first results from the bureau’s new survey. Framework already kicking goals Discovering we don’t collect regular and timely data on these important measures and then funding the Bureau of Statistics to do so is a demonstration that the framework is already having an impact. The critical test will be how it is used to improve decision-making. It hasn’t yet resulted in any radical change, but the ambition is substantial. Shifting the way governments make decisions and allocate resources is hard, and it was was never going to be accomplished in a single year. By handing over the data side of things to the Bureau of Statistics, the treasury will now, hopefully, be able to focus more on embedding the framework into decisions, including budget decisions. Prioritising prevention One of the things the treasury team is working on is how to better prioritise early intervention and prevention programs for Australians at risk. Such measures are hard to justify under the old budget rules, but can they can improve outcomes and save the government money in the long run. International and Australian studies have identified four key ways[8] of ensuring the government is working to deliver the kinds of outcomes we expect from it: 1. holistic thinking and breaking down silos between types of wellbeing 2. a long-term focus that includes consideration of future generations 3. emphasis on prevention to tackle the root causes of problems 4. including the people most likely to be affected by decisions in their design. They are directed towards delivering the kind of society we want to live in and to do it smartly and efficiently within a budget context. According to the framework, that’s a society that is healthy, secure, sustainable, prosperous and cohesive. The government remains on the case. References^ The Australian (www.theaustralian.com.au)^ Measuring What Matters (treasury.gov.au)^ dated (theconversation.com)^ Commonwealth Treasury (treasury.gov.au)^ dashboard (treasury.gov.au)^ statement (treasury.gov.au)^ move (ministers.treasury.gov.au)^ four key ways (cpd.org.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/despite-what-youve-read-jim-chalmerss-wellbeing-framework-hasnt-been-shelved-if-anything-its-been-strengthened-235194

Mirvac Harbourside

Times Magazine

YepAI Joins Victoria's AI Trade Mission to Singapore for Big Data & AI World Asia 2025

YepAI, a Melbourne-based leader in enterprise artificial intelligence solutions, announced today...

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an onli...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beau...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data anal...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right c...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in t...

The Times Features

Macquarie Bank Democratises Agentic AI, Scaling Customer Innovation with Gemini Enterprise

Macquarie’s Banking and Financial Services group (Macquarie Bank), in collaboration with Google ...

Do kids really need vitamin supplements?

Walk down the health aisle of any supermarket and you’ll see shelves lined with brightly packa...

Why is it so shameful to have missing or damaged teeth?

When your teeth and gums are in good condition, you might not even notice their impact on your...

Australian travellers at risk of ATM fee rip-offs according to new data from Wise

Wise, the global technology company building the smartest way to spend and manage money internat...

Does ‘fasted’ cardio help you lose weight? Here’s the science

Every few years, the concept of fasted exercise training pops up all over social media. Faste...

How Music and Culture Are Shaping Family Road Trips in Australia

School holiday season is here, and Aussies aren’t just hitting the road - they’re following the musi...

The Role of Spinal Physiotherapy in Recovery and Long-Term Wellbeing

Back pain and spinal conditions are among the most common reasons people seek medical support, oft...

Italian Lamb Ragu Recipe: The Best Ragù di Agnello for Pasta

Ciao! It’s Friday night, and the weekend is calling for a little Italian magic. What’s better than t...

It’s OK to use paracetamol in pregnancy. Here’s what the science says about the link with autism

United States President Donald Trump has urged pregnant women[1] to avoid paracetamol except in ...