Reclaiming our Purpose: It’s time to talk about the public good

A practical and values-led framework for leaders

After listening to Australians from all walks of life and political backgrounds talk about what they want for our country, we’re so pleased to offer this practical, research-based and values-led guide to reclaiming our sense of purpose as a country.

We offer a new public good agenda centred around the importance of Care, Connection and Contribution. We identify the key physical and enabling infrastructure required for this new agenda, and insights into how to bring these ideas into your work and leadership easily and effectively. It’s time to talk about the public good.

READ THE REPORT

DOWNLOAD THE SUMMARY

REQUEST A BRIEFING

REPORT METHODOLOGY

THE STORIES BEHIND THE REPORT

 

Listen to us chat about the Public Good on our podcast

Featured
Season 2, Ep 3: What’s our “why” as a country? (Part 2)
Season 2, Ep 3: What’s our “why” as a country? (Part 2)

What does it look like to put the public good into action? Whether you’re optimistic, indifferent or freaking out about the election, this is a great conversation about purpose and how we build more of the public good.

Read More →
Season 2, Ep 2: What’s our “why” as a country? (Part 1)
Season 2, Ep 2: What’s our “why” as a country? (Part 1)

We’ve been through a lot lately, and more of us are questioning our priorities as a country. Add to that a federal election, and we’ve got a real opportunity to reset our sense of purpose as a nation.

Read More →

This work on the public good is an essential backbone and focus for our current projects and the creation of an Australia reMADE. 

A Public Service for the Public Good

A thriving democracy requires that our democratic institutions are oriented to serve the public good. 

In 2024 we’re asking “What do we want our public service to be, and how do we create it?”. Building on the three Cs of Care, Connection and Contribution we’re working on a framework that reshapes the relationship between citizen and state, positioning the public service as an enabler of the public good. 

Learn more.

Care through Disaster

In 2023-24, in partnership with Women’s Health Goulburn North East, we took the lens of Care as a public good and applied it to the context of communities facing disasters.

Explore Care through Disaster work to find out what an enabling infrastructure for Care looks like, and why it is essential for how we prepare for, and respond to, disaster.

Learn more.

Early thinking on the Public Good

Featured
Unravelling + reMAKING the public good - Part 2: Unravelling privatisation
Unravelling + reMAKING the public good - Part 2: Unravelling privatisation

As we build this work we’ll be asking how do we reclaim the public good? Where is this happening across the world? And what do ordinary Australians think about it?

Read More →
Unravelling + reMAKING the public good - Part 1
Unravelling + reMAKING the public good - Part 1

We’re at a crazy time. We’ve been talking to activists and leaders around the country. We’re excited. We’re tired. We’re overwhelmed by the possibility of a great re-set and reMAKE and worried we’ll screw it up.

Read More →

Putting the public good into practice

Featured
How to talk about government and its work for the long-term public good by The Workshop
How to talk about government and its work for the long-term public good by The Workshop

Our friends at The Workshop in New Zealand have created this guide to talking about government and its work for the public good. We recommend it for all advocates, policy-makers, journalists and others who communicate on these issues!

Read More →
Pieces of the Same Solution – Dr Millie Rooney and Lily Spencer in Australian Quartlery
Pieces of the Same Solution – Dr Millie Rooney and Lily Spencer in Australian Quartlery

We’ve come through a transformative election, into a new dawn of possibility. Australia’s Parliament not only has a new government and Prime Minister, but an unusual crossbench configuration eager to fight for climate, integrity and democracy. To make it happen, record numbers of people volunteered like never before, ran for office like never before, and shifted their voting habits like never before….

Read More →
Featured
Underlying issues: why language matters at election time
Underlying issues: why language matters at election time

Words are powerful, particularly at election time. Three word slogans shape debate and lies become understood as truths if they are repeated often enough. To create an agenda for the public good we need to recognise the power of words and use them to our advantage…

Read More →
Where is our budget for the public good?
Where is our budget for the public good?

What would it look like to have a budget for the public good?
Think of the things the government could be budgeting for that would help us here: no new coal or gas and a serious approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; proper staffing ratios in arenas that truly matter like healthcare, education and social services; safe and secure housing for everyone; retrofitted buildings and landscapes that are climate positive and robust in the face of disaster.

Read More →
That would be freedom
That would be freedom

Imagine waking up and knowing that if you lose your job, health, family, you’ll be cared for. That there would still be meaningful (not de-meaningful) ways for you to connect with others, and that your contributions to society will be supported and validated. That would be freedom…

Read More →
What are universities for?
What are universities for?

What is the purpose of our public institutions? How do they best serve us as a community? And in this time of disruption and restructure, can we remember to look beyond the glossy reports and key performance indicators to true purpose?

Read More →