A Foundations for Tomorrow collection
Fifteen Australians.
Fifteen futures in the balance.
Behind every long-term policy failure is a person who felt it first. This is their collection.
01 / 05
‘Sixty-five thousand years of knowledge. Acknowledged in selected weeks.’
— Alana & Zee, 43 & 23
Wodi Wodi Country (Bulli), NSW · Indigenous knowledge
About this collection
These are not abstract policy challenges. Housing. Aged care. The justice system. The energy transition. The digital lives of children. They are the conditions shaping real Australian lives right now and for decades to come.
Each portrait in this collection pairs a real life with a deep-dive analysis of the policy area shaping it. Together, they make the case for governance that takes seriously the interests of both current and future generations.
The portraits
Fifteen Australians. Fifteen policy areas.
01Pema
Meanjin (Brisbane), QLD
Arts & culture · Social cohesion
02Stafford
Peerapper Country (Marrawah), TAS
Agriculture · Succession
03Malmi
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country (Melbourne), VIC
AI & education · Critical thinking
04Zen
Bundjalung Country (Lismore), NSW
Disaster management · Climate resilience
05Sue
Yugambeh Country (Beenleigh), QLD
Aged care · Dignity
06Dee
Kaurna Country (Adelaide), SA
Marine conservation · Coastal governance
07Nick
Eastern Kulin Nation (Melbourne), VIC
Circular economy · Waste policy
08Josh
Yolngu Country (Nhulunbuy), NT
Vocational education · Workforce
09Alana & Zee
Wodi Wodi Country, Dharawal Nation (Bulli), NSW
Indigenous knowledge · Education · Health
10Jamie
Gunaikurnai Country (Traralgon), VIC
Energy transition · Regional employment
11Jacqui
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country (Melbourne), VIC
Cyber security · Gender equity
12Georgie
Whadjuk Noongar Country (Mosman Park), WA
Local democracy · Civic participation
13James & Julien
Ngunnawal Country (Canberra), ACT
Digital wellbeing · Children
14Victoria
Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi Country (Moreton Bay), QLD
Pacific migration · Regional partnership
15Rocket
Larrakia Country (Darwin), NT
Justice system · Incarceration · Reintegration
01Pema
Meanjin (Brisbane), QLD
Arts & culture · Social cohesion
02Stafford
Peerapper Country (Marrawah), TAS
Agriculture · Succession
03Malmi
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country (Melbourne), VIC
AI & education · Critical thinking
04Zen
Bundjalung Country (Lismore), NSW
Disaster management · Climate resilience
05Sue
Yugambeh Country (Beenleigh), QLD
Aged care · Dignity
06Dee
Kaurna Country (Adelaide), SA
Marine conservation · Coastal governance
07Nick
Eastern Kulin Nation (Melbourne), VIC
Circular economy · Waste policy
08Josh
Yolngu Country (Nhulunbuy), NT
Vocational education · Workforce
09Alana & Zee
Wodi Wodi Country, Dharawal Nation (Bulli), NSW
Indigenous knowledge · Education · Health
10Jamie
Gunaikurnai Country (Traralgon), VIC
Energy transition · Regional employment
11Jacqui
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country (Melbourne), VIC
Cyber security · Gender equity
12Georgie
Whadjuk Noongar Country (Mosman Park), WA
Local democracy · Civic participation
13James & Julien
Ngunnawal Country (Canberra), ACT
Digital wellbeing · Children
14Victoria
Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi Country (Moreton Bay), QLD
Pacific migration · Regional partnership
15Rocket
Larrakia Country (Darwin), NT
Justice system · Incarceration · Reintegration
Not sure where to begin?
Find your starting portraits.
Fifteen portraits cover a lot of ground. Answer three quick questions - where you would like to learn about, whose perspective you want to understand, and what issue feels most urgent right now - and we'll suggest three portraits matched to your answers.
Which portraits should you read first?
Answer three quick questions. We'll suggest three portraits matched to where you live, where you are in life, and what matters most to you right now.
The people behind this work
Researchers, writers, photographers, and fifteen Australians who gave their time.
Meet the Team →The Lab
From portraits to action.
These stories made the case: Fifteen everyday Australians, fifteen policy areas shaping the country for decades to come. Together, they show what is at stake when governance fails to think beyond the next election cycle.
The Lab is the response: An 18-month collaborative design process bringing together communities, institutions and leaders to prototype and pilot how Australians can participate in shaping long-term national direction, and how those insights can be translated into durable decision-making and reform.
Find out how to get involved with the Lab →