The Wellbeing of
Future Generations Bill
(2025)
A Milestone in the Journey Towards Protecting Current and Future Generations
On February 10th, 2025, a significant milestone was achieved with the introduction of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill to the Australian Parliament. This landmark legislation mandates that government decisions consider the long-term interests of both current and future Australians. Championed by Independent MP Dr. Sophie Scamps and seconded by Liberal MP Mrs. Bridget Archer, the Bill reflects a unified, cross-party commitment to future-focused governance.
What does the Bill do?
The choices we make today should set up a future where everyone can thrive, not one where young Australians are left fixing problems that could have been avoided. This proposal is informed by 2 years of research and consultation, and include:
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A Federal Wellbeing of Future Generations Framework
Establishing a robust structure to prioritise the wellbeing of future generations in all governmental decisions.
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A Positive Duty to Consider Future Generations
Requiring leaders to actively consider the long-term impacts of their actions.
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An Independent Commissioner for Future Generations
Appointing a statutory advocate to represent and safeguard the interests of future Australians.
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A National Conversation on Future Generations
Engaging citizens nationwide in shaping a collective vision for Australia's future.
The Culmination of 4 Years of Research & Movement Building
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FFT consulted 10,000 young Australians on their vision for a just, equitable, and sustainable future, generating one of the largest youth-led national consultations on intergenerational fairness.
These findings shaped the Awareness to Action Report, highlighting young people’s calls for long-term thinking and proactive leadership.
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FFT then spent a year mapping global best practices for overcoming short-termism in policy development, a core issue identified through the Awareness to Action consultation.
After identifying international leaders in long-term governance and future generations policy, the FFT team then consulted directly with these leaders to develop a localised impact strategy. -
FFT invested 2 years in facilitating dialogue, conducting consultations and strategic workshops, and conducting research to inform the For Our Future Policy Brief recommendations which served as the substantive contribution to the development of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill.
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To build awareness and develop political championship for future generations thinking, FFT established the Parliamentary Group for Future Generations.
This multi-partisan group, co-chaired by Dr Sophie Scamps, Ms Zaneta Mascarenhas, and Mrs Bridget Archer, was established to facilitate constructive dialogue and foster a multi-partisan approach to policy innovation to protect the interests of future generations.
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To foster the civil society support required to drive change, FFT collaborated with Orygen, Foundation for Young Australians, Think Forward and EveryGen to form the Intergenerational Fairness Coalition, which now has more than 20 members taking joint action to advance future generations policy in Australia. The Intergenerational Fairness Coalition hosted the first Intergenerational Fairness Summit in November 2023.
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The end of 2024 marked the conclusion of 2 years of intensive work to develop a robust set of policy proposals to safeguard the interests of future generations in Australia, and develop a network of champions across civil society, academic and the political landscape to advance the ambitions captured within the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill. The For Our Future Policy Brief was launched at the 2024 Intergenerational Fairness Summit.
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On Feb 10th, Dr Sophie Scamps MP introduced the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill, seconded by Mrs Bridget Archer MP.
This isn’t just about politics,
it’s about making sure Australia’s future is one we can all be proud of.
This Bill is not about party politics, it is about good policy. Leaders across the spectrum champion responsibility, fairness, and long-term national prosperity. The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act is designed to ensure policy decisions today are made with the future in mind, balancing economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.
This reform follows the best practices of OECD nations, where similar governance structures have enhanced economic foresight, improved public trust, and strengthened national resilience.
By establishing independent oversight and institutional safeguards, we can create a more effective, accountable, and future-focused governance system that benefits all Australians.
It should not be revolutionary for a country to have a shared vision for their future
Our Invitation to All Australian Leaders for the
2025 Australian Federal Election
We are not the only ones who think this is big news…
That’s why we’re
Asking for the Bill.
The For Our Future Campaign calls on all Australians to ensure our future is front of mind for our leaders.
Don’t let short-term decisions cost Australia’s future.
Take a Deeper Dive
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The For Our Future Policy Brief
For a deeper understanding of the Bill and its foundational research, explore the For Our Future Policy Brief. This Brief delves into the necessity of the reform, international best practice, and a practical path forward for Australia.
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The For Our Future Campaign
Join the growing movement advocating for long-term policy reform to safeguard the wellbeing of current and future Australians. The For Our Future Campaign unites voices nationwide and invites Australians to ‘Ask for the Bill’ before our future pays the cost for today’s decisions.