Why subscribe?
Australians live their lives in political system they call a representative democracy but that system gives them little if any influence in their governance and almost no control over their prospects for the future. Once they have voted in elections they lose much if not all of the power they need to be able to influence development of policies and plans for their future.
If Australians are to increase the influence in their own governance and build the future they prefer, they will need to replace their merely representative democracy with a participatory democracy. And for this purpose they will need an ability to participate in an inclusive long term national planning process - one in which they can work together efficiently in all their diversity to design the type of society, environment, economy and democracy they want and select safe paths towards all that.
Australian Community Futures Planning (ACFP) is a community-based, non-partisan planning entity providing everyday Australians with the tools and data they need to be able to:
describe their preferred destination as an inclusive and cohesive nation - the country and society they want to live in and belong to by 2050 or sooner;
select safe paths towards that destination;
integrate all that into a single easily accessible plan called Australia Together;
monitor their progress toward or away from the destination of that plan; and
reset their agenda when necessary.
The State of Australia sheds light on progress with Australia Together. It provides updates on how well our political systems, governments and parliaments are doing in making the Vision of the plan - the Vision for Australia Together - a reality and whether they are taking us toward our preferred future via the routes we would prefer. It also provides insights into the emerging issues we need to address as a nation to ensure we achieve wellbeing and security for every Australian.
Subscribe, and support greater inclusiveness in democracy
ACFP is a small, independent research organisation. We specialise in systems, skills development and data collection to foster long term planning by the community for the community on a national scale. For that purpose we offer a variety of reports on the state of Australia.
Prior to each federal election we offer Australians a comprehensive, evidence-based report on whether, during the life the the outgoing parliament, Australia moved towards or away from the Vision for Australia Together. The first of these reports was published for the 2022 federal election. Find The State of Australia 2022 here.
In between elections we provide smaller articles, newsletters, major essays and long pieces about where Australia is going off the track and what it can do get back on the safe paths to the future. We also provide updates on targets and strategies in Australia Together and data updates in the Australia Together National Wellbeing Index.
All this work is aimed at releasing Australians from subjection to the short term agendas of political parties. We aim to help them rise above that and set the agenda for the nation’s future themselves.
ACFP neither accepts not seeks donations and all subscriptions are free. ACFP has no affiliation with any political party inside or outside Australia. It receives no political party funding and no funding from any source other than in-kind commitments from volunteers.
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People
ACFP is run by contributions of expertise from volunteers including:
Dr David Kelly, the Executive Director, Editorial and Production,
Sean Kelly, Data Analyst and Public Health Strategist, and
Dr Bronwyn Kelly, Founder.
For inquiries regarding internships, contact either of the Drs Kelly at info@austcfp.com.au
Dr Bronwyn Kelly is the principal researcher, planner and writer at ACFP. She was a senior public sector professional in state and local government in New South Wales from 1984 to 2014 and an Honorary Professional Fellow at the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance.
She is the author of major essays and books on national governance and planning including:
By 2050: Planning a better future for our children in 21st century democratic Australia (first published in March 2020); and
The People’s Constitution: the path to empowerment of Australians in a 21st century democracy (first published in January 2023).
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Find out all about how to become involved here. Everyone is welcome to participate.
