Are we measuring progress correctly?, 2011

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MEDIA RELEASE
30 September 2011
Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
122/2011

Are we measuring progress correctly?

Eva Cox, a well known social commentator, and Richard Eckersley, a highly regarded researcher on population wellbeing, have questioned how progress is being measured and understood by joining the Australian Bureau of Statistics' national conversation on progress at www.abs.gov.au/about/progress/blog.

"We humans are deemed to be inadequate reporters of our quality of life. Many authoritative voices... assume we don't know what constitutes our sense of wellbeing; at best, our views can be a complement to real data", said Ms Eva Cox AO, a prominent Australian feminist.

Richard Eckersley said "I believe there is growing evidence that the social trajectory of people's health and wellbeing - of our quality of life - is now downwards ... the net effect of social changes (including economic, cultural and environment) is negative - it's making life worse."

Eva Cox and Richard Eckersley join other prominent Australians including Dick Smith, Mark Donaldson VC, Richard Aedy and Michael Stutchbury, in commenting on what matters most for Australia's progress. The Australian public is encouraged to join this conversation at www.abs.gov.au/about/progress/blog, where the full articles can be viewed.

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