Federal Treasury should draw on "an index of happiness and wellbeing" when setting national policy to ensure decision making draws on
both economic and social wellbeing considerations, a panel of community leaders has recommended.
The panel's comments today coincided with the release of a milestone report, which contained key findings from seven years of the Australian
UnityWellbeing Index.
The Hon. Tim Fischer, former Deputy Prime Minister, who was one of the panelists, said he would like to see Federal Treasury "elevating
national happiness into an index" for national policy making.
"The acid and static in the 21st Century will continue unless proactive steps are taken," Mr Fischer said.
As part of the discussion on happiness at Federation Square, Melbourne today, panelists Dr Rhonda Galbally, AO, CEO Our Community; Todd
Harper, CEO VicHealth; Terry McCrann, Financial Columnist Herald Sun; and Professor Bob Cummins, Deakin University, also talked about the
need for better distribution of wealth in our economy.
Professor Cummins said that the Australian population was now in an unprecedented position to "create more wealth than we need" yet this
had not improved peoples sense of wellbeing.
However, Dr Rhonda Galbally, AO, CEO Our Community, said that money does buy happiness for people who were disadvantaged or socially
excluded and need to buy in services for daily living such as care and household tasks. She said control, meaning, hope and a sense of
belonging were vital for wellbeing and happiness but equity in the distribution of wealth was also crucial.
"Abject poverty is unacceptable in booming times," Dr Galbally said.
Todd Harper suggested that economic rationalism is an efficient mechanism of distributing wealth and suggested we need a better way of
measuring the social needs of the population so that they can be factored into the budget process.
Chaired by Australian Unity Managing Director Rohan Mead, the panel was asked to deliberate the question, 'What makes us happy?' and
cover perspectives including the workplace, relationships, money, health and community connection.
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN UNITY WELLBEING INDEX
The concept for the award winning Australian Unity Wellbeing Index was developed by Australian Unity, with the first survey conducted in April
2001. Professor Robert A. Cummins from Deakin University and Richard Eckersley from the Australian National University developed the format
for the Index in conjunction with a team of researchers.
The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index is an academic study that adheres to rigorous implementation and statistical standards and is one of the
worlds leading measures of subjective wellbeing.
The Wellbeing Index is designed to provide insight into the factors and social issues that are impacting our happiness. It investigates
Australians' satisfaction with their lives across areas such as health, money, relationships, work and much more. It also tracks what
Australians are thinking about the state of the nation including their satisfaction with social conditions, the economic situation, the
environment, business, national security and government.
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For further information, please contact:
Kate Stevens
Strategic Communications Adviser
t. 03 8682 6776
m. 0418 123 176
e. kstevens@australianunity.com.au