Judgment Statement

• Data collection challenges significantly limit Australia’s SDG reporting ability.
• Evidence shows fragmented systems, missing indicators, and coordination barriers severely impact effectiveness.

Fragmented Data Systems

• Evidence supporting this includes the fact that important data is scattered across multiple government departments with different collection methods.
• States and territories maintain separate systems rather than unified approaches. This fragmentation means Australia cannot produce comprehensive SDG progress reports. For example, health data is collected differently in NSW versus Queensland which creates inconsistent national pictures.
• The main factors supporting this include incompatible technology systems and varying departmental priorities.

Missing Measurement Frameworks

• However, it is important to consider that some limitations are more severe than others.
• Several SDG indicators have no accepted Australian measurement methods at all. This completely prevents reporting on certain goals regardless of coordination efforts.
• Despite this, Australia remains one of the stronger performers compared to many nations because existing systems do provide partial data.
• An alternative perspective to this issue suggests that while developing frameworks requires years of work, Australia is relatively well placed to create new measurement systems for collecting this data.
• Nevertheless, current system shortcomings mean Australia cannot fully assess progress on all 17 SDGs.

Reaffirmation

• Data challenges significantly constrain Australia’s SDG reporting capabilities.
• Systemic differences in reporting between jurisdictions combine with missing indicators to create substantial barriers to reporting.
• These limitations mean Australia cannot effectively demonstrate progress toward 2030 targets.
• Implications suggest an urgent need for national coordination and standardised data systems.

• Provide knowledge and innovation to support SDG implementation through research expertise and evidence-based solutions for complex development challenges
• Create future thinkers, leaders and implementers across all sectors both locally and internationally, developing human capital necessary for sustained progress
• Integrate SDGs into undergraduate and post-graduate courses for widespread education, ensuring graduates understand sustainable development principles
• Offer education for external sectors to provide knowledge and skills needed to address SDGs effectively in various industries and communities

\(C\)

\(D\)

Judgment Statement

• Australian sectors demonstrate moderately successful collaboration in achieving SDGs.
• This assessment is based on individual sector progress and the effectiveness of inter-sector coordination.

Individual Sector Progress

• Government shows considerable commitment through policy integration and SDG alignment.
• Evidence supporting this includes agencies incorporating SDGs into reporting despite data fragmentation challenges.
• The business sector is demonstrating strong voluntary participation through workplace wellness programs.
• Companies are also active in providing safe environments, living wages and reviewing their supply chains.
• Universities achieve significant multiplier effects by training future SDG implementers.
• Overall, collaboration within sectors is demonstrating high effectiveness in building long-term capacity to achieve SDG’s.

Inter-sector Coordination

• Coordination between sectors shows limited effectiveness for integrated transformation.
• Complex challenges require shared measurement frameworks that currently don’t exist.
• Local initiatives like “We’re All in this Together” produce promising results. However, scaling these programs nationally faces major coordination barriers.
• The results indicate weak accountability systems between sectors.
• Different sectors find it much easier to address SDG’s in isolation rather than collaborative partnerships.
• This minimal coordination impact prevents achieving transformative outcomes.

Overall Assessment

• When all factors are considered, Australia shows moderate SDG collaboration success.
• Individual sectors perform well independently but fail to integrate efforts effectively.
• On balance, this proves sufficient for incremental progress but insufficient for transformation.
• The assessment reveals urgent need for formal coordination mechanisms and shared accountability.
• Implications suggest establishing national frameworks to connect sector initiatives for greater impact.