# Opportunity Party proposes Future Generations Commissioner > Opportunity Party to create independent Future Generations Commissioner to assess long-term policy impacts. - Title: Opportunity Party proposes Future Generations Commissioner - Summary: Opportunity Party to create independent Future Generations Commissioner to assess long-term policy impacts. Opportunity Party will establish a Future… - Keywords: opportunity party, future generations commissioner, long term policy, treaty of waitangi, citizens assemblies, māori, nz government, policy assessment, future generations act, infrastructure planning, education policy, health policy - Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/opportunity-to-create-a-future-generations-commissioner-to-end-short-term-political-thinking/JPIYVSANORF4PP7RQ2SIWZO45Q - Read time: 1 min - Topics: opportunity party, future generations commissioner, long term policy, treaty of waitangi, citizens assemblies, māori, nz government, policy assessment, future generations act, infrastructure planning, education policy, health policy ## Opportunity Party policy Opportunity Party proposes creating an independent Future Generations Commissioner to assess government policy for long-term benefits and risks. > The proposed commissioner would also co-ordinate the party’s policy to hold citizens’ assemblies which would debate long-term national goals for society, economy and environment ## Commissioner appointment Commissioner appointed by cross-party committee for five years with protection from political interference. > The commissioner would be appointed on the House’s recommendation and hold the role for five years ## Funding and oversight Funding scrutinised by Parliament, not ministers; requires government entities to act for present needs while safeguarding future generations. > Ministers, public service departments, specified Crown entities and councils will be required to act in ways that meet present needs while safeguarding future generations’ ability to meet theirs ## Policy coordination Commissioner monitors adherence to longer-term plans including education, health, energy and infrastructure policies. > In addition to assessing these entities against national long-term goals, the commissioner will monitor their adherence to their own specific longer-term plans and commitments ## Long-term policy disclosure Government policy, Budget and investment proposals must disclose long-term costs and benefits for future generations. > Enacted through a Future Generations Act, the policy would mean major government policy, Budget and investment proposals would be required to disclose long-term costs and benefits for future generations ## Political context Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong says four out of five Kiwis support law requiring governments to consider future generations. > Wong said research showed four out of five Kiwis wanted to see a law requiring governments to consider future generations within legislation ## Wales comparison Wales implemented Future Generations Act in 2015 with citizens’ assemblies to debate long-term national goals. > With Wales implementing a Future Generations Act in 2015, Wong pointed to the country’s use of in-person and digital mechanisms to advance citizens’ assemblies ## Infrastructure impact Commissioner would address long-term costs of infrastructure, health system and environmental protection. > Wong said we need to make the long-term consequences of decisions impossible to ignore, whether that’s the cost of neglected infrastructure, an overstretched health system or failing to protect our environment ## Cost estimate Estimated annual cost of $5 million for commissioner role, less than wasted infrastructure spending. > Wong estimated the cost at about $5 million a year by comparing the proposal to similar-sized commissioners here and in Wales ## Implementation Commissioner would coordinate with Māori and Treaty of Waitangi principles for long-term national goals. > The commissioner would also co-ordinate the party’s policy to hold citizens’ assemblies which would debate long-term national goals for society, economy and environment while in partnership with Māori and consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi ## Policy coordination Commissioner would ensure better coordination between government agencies and policy implementation. > Wong said the findings from Wales’ 10-year report have been taken into account, and the party’s proposal would give the commissioner more teeth by ensuring better coordination between government agencies ## Future Generations Act Proposed law would require government to disclose long-term costs and benefits of policies for future generations. > Enacted through a Future Generations Act, the policy would mean major government policy, Budget and investment proposals would be required to disclose long-term costs and benefits for future generations ## Political support Cross-party support for commissioner with four out of five Kiwis supporting the policy. > Wong said research showed four out of five Kiwis wanted to see a law requiring governments to consider future generations within legislation, with comparable levels of support across the political spectrum ## Infrastructure planning Commissioner would oversee 30-year infrastructure planning process to prevent short-term decisions. > In addition to assessing these entities against national long-term goals, the commissioner will monitor their adherence to their own specific longer-term plans and commitments, including the likes of Opportunity’s proposed 10-year plans for education and health, our 2050 goal for energy abundance and a 30 year infrastructure planning process ## Policy implementation Commissioner would monitor long-term impacts of government decisions on environment, economy and society. > Wong said we need to make the long-term consequences of decisions impossible to ignore, whether that’s the cost of neglected infrastructure, an overstretched health system or failing to protect our environment ## Key takeaway Opportunity Party will establish a Future Generations Commissioner to evaluate government policies for long-term benefits and risks, with five-year term and protection from political interference.