Independents for Canberra is today declaring its commitment to making the ACT the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce a Future Generations Act.

Modelled on Wales’ Well-being of Future Generations Act, introduced in 2015, the ACT’s Future Generations Act will require the development of a community-led vision for the Canberra we want for generations to come, as well as establishing an independent Future Generations Commissioner tasked with ensuring government decisions align with that vision. The proposal would legislate a requirement for decision-makers to prioritise the wellbeing of current and future generations.

With the UN Summit of the Future taking place on September 22-23, at which a Declaration on Future Generations is set to be adopted, the leader of Independents for Canberra, Thomas Emerson, said the ACT had an opportunity to be a first mover in committing to the wellbeing of future generations.

“Young people have little confidence that political leaders are making decisions in their long-term interests,” said Mr Emerson.

“The climate, housing and cost-of-living crises are combining to present the next generation with a future coloured by hopelessness.

“Young people feel they can’t afford their own future. They fear our changing climate. They despair at runaway habitat clearing and species extinction. They’re trapped by new technologies that are causing harm, rather than being harnessed for good.

“Let’s face these crises head-on and show the rest of the world how to make a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of current and future generations.

“The next generation of Canberrans deserve a city where they can grow, learn and thrive. I want my children, and their children, to feel inspired to realise their aspirations. We need to offer young people a future they can be excited about. 

“Over 65 local species are facing extinction. Native vegetation is being cleared to build new suburbs that are car dependent, low in canopy cover and ill-prepared for a changing climate.

“Our Bush Capital can be a world leader in establishing a culture of responsible stewardship, infused with First Nations knowledge about Caring for Country.

“38 per cent of Australians aged 16-24 have a mental health disorder. 40 per cent of Canberrans report experiencing loneliness. People aged 18-24 are the loneliest.

“What are we doing to address these deep-seated societal problems? We’re not seeing the leadership we need from our politicians. How much longer do we have to wait before people in power take action to tackle intergenerational inequality?

“This is a forward-looking city where there’s a strong mandate for transformative social change. Canberra is the perfect place for this idea.”

Paula McGrady, a candidate for Murrumbidgee who is aiming to become the first Indigenous woman elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly, said people deserved more long-term thinking from our elected representatives.

“What will our legacy be? The decisions we make now have to create aspiration and hope for generations to come,” said Ms McGrady.

“All our children deserve a future they can enjoy and a healthy environment that supports them to flourish.”

Recent research by the Australian National University showed many politically engaged young Australians feel disillusioned by politics and lack confidence in politicians’ ability to create meaningful change

EveryGen’s Intergenerational Justice Policy Survey 2024 found that 81 per cent of young people believe Australian politicians think too short-term, 78 per cent support establishing a Commissioner for Future Generations, and 97 per cent believe that policies today should take into account the interests of future generations.

ACT’s federal independent senator, David Pocock, has introduced a Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Equity) Bill 2023 that would impose a statutory Duty of Care on decision-makers, requiring them to consider the likely impact of decisions that could harm the climate on the health and wellbeing of current and future children.

Independents for Canberra’s Future Generations Act would reach beyond climate-related decisions, requiring all public institutions to ensure current needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The Act would give teeth to the ACT Wellbeing Framework, empowering the Commissioner to push for greater action and accountability on the part of decision-makers.

Independent MP for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps, has been formulating a Future Generations policy at the federal level. Independents for Canberra candidates believe Canberra has an opportunity to step into its role as Australia’s test-bed city by modelling what legislation to protect future generations can achieve at the territory level, showing the rest of the country how a balance-of-power crossbench of independents can bring about more long-term, socially responsible, ambitious policy-making.

Quotes attributable to Dr Sophie Scamps MP

"Climate change and the housing crisis mean that policies promoting intergenerational fairness are more critical than ever. 97 per cent of Australians believe that we need policies today that take into account the interests of future generations.”

“I’ve been working hard with the Intergenerational Fairness Coalition to see these advancements to protect future generations implemented at the federal level. State and territory-based action for this shared ambition is vital and I support it 100 per cent."

Quotes attributable to Dr Michael Moore AM, former four-term independent MLA

“How often do we hear that politicians only think in three or four year terms – until the next election? Thomas Emerson has turned this on its head by announcing Independents for Canberra’s commitment to a Future Generations Act.”

“So many people look in vain for a long-term vision from our politicians. The commitment of Independents for Canberra to a Future Generations Act reflects a serious understanding of the need for long-term thinking in politicians and bodes well for any of their members who are elected.”

“Thank goodness there are some in this election who are thinking well beyond the next election. A Future Generations Act, as proposed by Independents for Canberra, will provide a check and balance for all government actions to ensure they are not undermining future generations.”

Quotes attributable to Sophie Howe, the first Future Generations Commissioner for Wales from 2016 to 2023

“With multiple crises of climate change, growing wealth inequality and lack of housing for younger people, citizens are recognising that endemic short termism in governments is hanging the next generation out to dry. There is a desperate need to address this by ensuring governments are required to take decisions which consider future generations.”

– From EveryGen’s report A Fair Go For All: Intergenerational Justice Policy Survey