Democracy in the age of bad bots and anti-social media
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
Not so long ago, offending fellow members of society had consequences. Now the gloves appear to be…
Posted on 02 Jul 2024
By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
Volunteering has been added to the areas measured by the federal government’s revamped national wellbeing framework.
Launched last year by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the Measuring What Matters framework assesses 50 indicators designed to take the pulse of the nation.
It looks beyond traditional economic metrics such as GDP, income and employment statistics and instead focuses on areas ranging from life expectancy to air quality, mental health and job satisfaction.
Canberra revealed that a revamped framework will now include volunteering, after announcing that the Australian Bureau of Statistics will take over responsibility for the annual General Social Survey on Australian wellbeing.
Volunteering Australia CEO Mark Pearce welcomed the inclusion of volunteering as a key indicator of the state of the nation.
“The General Social Survey is a crucial source of official data on volunteering in Australia, and participation in volunteering, both formal and informal, is a key indicator of the wellbeing of our communities.”
Mr Pearce said Volunteering Australia had joined with its state-based counterparts to advocate for volunteering to be included in the Measuring What Matters framework.
“We are delighted that the federal government have recognised the importance of volunteering to social cohesion,” said Mr Pearce.
“Regular, high-quality data on volunteering is essential to the implementation of the National Strategy for Volunteering. It will help guide the design and implementation of important national initiatives to make volunteering the heart of Australian communities.”
“The General Social Survey is a crucial source of official data on volunteering in Australia, and participation in volunteering, both formal and informal, is a key indicator of the wellbeing of our communities.”
Several other topics were also added to the revamped wellbeing survey, including:
The government revealed it had provided a $14.8 million funding boost for the ABS to enable it to deliver more frequent data and assume responsibility for the Measuring What Matters dashboard as part of the next annual update, which is expected in August.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Charities Minister Andrew Leigh said in a joint statement that the ABS would deliver an enhanced and expanded annual survey on the wellbeing of Australians, helping to inform a more comprehensive statement that the government will publish every three years.
They said the cash injection would allow for the ABS to paint a bigger, more detailed and vibrant picture of Australians’ wellbeing.
“The survey will be conducted annually to deliver more timely data, the sample size will be increased to ensure that the survey provides insights into sub‑groups of the population, and it will be expanded to include new questions.”
Canberra plans to release an updated Measuring What Matters statement every three years with the insights used to inform budgets and government decision‑making.
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
Not so long ago, offending fellow members of society had consequences. Now the gloves appear to be…
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
The federal government’s plan to ban social media access for under-16s has received qualified…
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
Several Australian charities are under investigation by the Australian Charities and…
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has launched a new online and social media advertising blitz…
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
Mental health advocacy body Beyond Blue has launched a new online tool designed to help Australians…
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
Grahame Mapp Foundation executive director Penny Mapp believes in developing sustainable…
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
A leading democracy advocate has warned that the US election result serves as a cautionary tale for…
Posted on 12 Nov 2024
An Australian investment firm with a strong philanthropic focus is seeking new not-for-profit…
Posted on 05 Nov 2024
It's time government recognised the important role the not-for-profit sector can play in…
Posted on 04 Nov 2024
Contentious changes introduced by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requiring up to 155,000…
Posted on 04 Nov 2024
Shadow Charities Minister Dean Smith has lashed the federal government over the pace of sector…
Posted on 04 Nov 2024
Being positive in how we think, feel, talk about, and support mental health will make a lasting…