The aim of this paper is to review the rationale, nature and operation of independent fiscal councils (IFCs) in order to gain insights
into how futures are being configured at executive levels of government and to examine how futures could be incorporated in
policy making. The emphasis IFCs have placed on non-partisanship, transparency and forecasting is viewed as reflecting a
particular understanding of the problem of public debt and a limited understanding of the future and policy making. Located
within the context of increasing technocratic tendencies, it is argued that IFCs can be seen as part of efforts to secure the depoliticisation
of policy making. Attempts to secure the de-politicisation of policy making may at best, be considered laudable, but
naïve, and at worst, represents an ideological sleight of hand in attempts to colonise the future. Moving forward, it is argued that
strategic foresight can make a vital contribution to an open form of policy making that deepens and extends an understanding of
what the future could be - the necessary ficta of policy making.

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• An examination of independent fiscal councils and their orientation to the future and policy making