It was good to see Australia’s first self-described “wellbeing” budget in October. This was where Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced an intention to measure more than the usual budget variables. Measuring what matters is the key objective, targeting in particular “people’s ability to … feel satisfied with life”.

This focus is good news for those who are constantly having to explain the need for government support for arts and culture. Australians, as shown by their attendance, clearly enjoy arts and culture as much as they do sport, so there is a direct impact on wellbeing from supporting arts and culture, as there is with sport.