Three The economic context of policy analysis in Australia
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Alan Fenna
Abstract
This chapter argues that one cannot make sense of policy analysis in Australia without an appreciation of the economic challenges that have faced Australian governments over the last forty years. A conjunction of cyclical and structural problems in the two decades from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s forced a re-evaluation of the policy framework that went back to the beginning of the century and had embedded itself in the Australian way of life. Re-evaluation came in the form of an historic shift toward economic liberalisation in both the regulation of the private sector and the operation of the public sector.No aspect of public policy was immune, as economic reasoning established a presence in policy-making across all domains.
Abstract
This chapter argues that one cannot make sense of policy analysis in Australia without an appreciation of the economic challenges that have faced Australian governments over the last forty years. A conjunction of cyclical and structural problems in the two decades from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s forced a re-evaluation of the policy framework that went back to the beginning of the century and had embedded itself in the Australian way of life. Re-evaluation came in the form of an historic shift toward economic liberalisation in both the regulation of the private sector and the operation of the public sector.No aspect of public policy was immune, as economic reasoning established a presence in policy-making across all domains.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations viii
- Australian states and territories; Australian governments from 1972; and map of Australian states and territories xi
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvii
- Foreword xix
- Preface xxiv
- Policy analysis in Australia: context, themes and challenges 1
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The ‘policy advising’ context
- Policy professionals in context: advisors and ministers 23
- The economic context of policy analysis in Australia 37
- Policy analysis and public sector capacity 53
-
Analysis and advice within government
- Policy analysis at the federal government level 71
- Policy and policy analysis in Australian states 87
- Policy analysis capacity and Australian local government 105
- Reflections on policy advice in Australia 121
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Parliamentary committees and inquiries 137
- Expert policy advisory bodies 151
- Consultants, think tanks and public policy 167
- Media influence on public policy 183
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Parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Policy development in political parties 201
- Business associations and policy analysis 217
- Policy and the labour movement 231
- Policy capacity in the community sector 245
-
Policy analysis instruction and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Australia 261
- Academic research and public policy 283
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations viii
- Australian states and territories; Australian governments from 1972; and map of Australian states and territories xi
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xvii
- Foreword xix
- Preface xxiv
- Policy analysis in Australia: context, themes and challenges 1
-
The ‘policy advising’ context
- Policy professionals in context: advisors and ministers 23
- The economic context of policy analysis in Australia 37
- Policy analysis and public sector capacity 53
-
Analysis and advice within government
- Policy analysis at the federal government level 71
- Policy and policy analysis in Australian states 87
- Policy analysis capacity and Australian local government 105
- Reflections on policy advice in Australia 121
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Parliamentary committees and inquiries 137
- Expert policy advisory bodies 151
- Consultants, think tanks and public policy 167
- Media influence on public policy 183
-
Parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Policy development in political parties 201
- Business associations and policy analysis 217
- Policy and the labour movement 231
- Policy capacity in the community sector 245
-
Policy analysis instruction and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Australia 261
- Academic research and public policy 283
- Index 303
