Despite the scars of fires, floods, and plague, Australia has done better than most countries over the last year. As a tumultuous 2020 draws to a close, the start of a new year offers a moment of reflection. What have we done well and where have we fallen short? At Australian Futures Project, we see a major opportunity to make the future Australia wants. But first, Australia needs to answer three fundamental questions:
What future does Australia want, and are we on track?
Does Australia have what it takes, and if not, what more is needed?
How can we fill the gaps?
With this in mind, we have 12 wishes for Australia in 2021.
What future does Australia want, and are we on track?
1. We wish that Federal and State governments listen to the views of the public and experts and take active steps to make the future Australia wants
2. We wish for a public debate that includes all the diversity of Australian society and the people most affected by the challenges and opportunities in question, not just the those with money and power
3. We wish for a media and social media that foster respectful, nuanced, and constructive debate about contentious issues
Does Australia have what it takes, and if not, what more is needed?
4. We wish that Federal and State governments continue to work effectively together on major challenges, as demonstrated through the innovation of the National Cabinet
5. We wish that experts continue to inform more of the decisions made by our elected representatives, as reflected in the prominence of Chief Medical Officers and Treasury in the response to COVID-19
6. We wish for a broader adoption of the refreshing “both-and” approach exemplified by a focus on both health and the economy during Australia’s ongoing COVID-19 response
7. We wish that, in line with Australians’ top desired characteristics for their Prime Minister, everyone, not only the PM, continues to bring compassion to everything they do
8. We wish that Australian Parliamentarians continue to seek and be supported in taking steps to becoming more effective, trusted, and equipped to tackle today's challenges
9. We wish for it to be seen as normal to invest collective thought and effort in keeping Australia’s “future-making” system up to date as the world changes around us
How can we fill the gaps?
10. We wish that Australia rebuilds trust across society by becoming the world champions in the genuine apology – given unreservedly and with explanation, honesty, and compassion and received with grace
11. We wish for an independent ACCC-style body focused on anticompetitive, misleading, and deceptive conduct and structures in Australia’s political and election systems
12. We wish that Australia’s governments through the National Cabinet establish a new Joint Commission on Major Challenges to identify the ten issues that will have the biggest impact on Australia over the next ten years and commit to results on three of them
By understanding and improving how Australia makes its future, we can maximise and share Australia’s success across current and future generations.