Seven Policy analysis capacity and Australian local government
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Brian Dollery
Abstract
Australian local government plays a pivotal role not only as a major element in the democratic structure of the country but also as a significant economic entity in its own right. This chapter provides a synoptic description of Australian local government and its main problems.It considers the policy environment surrounding Australian local government, and the policy-making and policy capacity in Australian local government. It proposes a stylised model of policy-making in Australian local government using structural reform through forced municipal mergers as a salient example. The chapter ends with concluding remarks about the general and academic preoccupation with ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of local government, and makes suggestions for empirical research.
Abstract
Australian local government plays a pivotal role not only as a major element in the democratic structure of the country but also as a significant economic entity in its own right. This chapter provides a synoptic description of Australian local government and its main problems.It considers the policy environment surrounding Australian local government, and the policy-making and policy capacity in Australian local government. It proposes a stylised model of policy-making in Australian local government using structural reform through forced municipal mergers as a salient example. The chapter ends with concluding remarks about the general and academic preoccupation with ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of local government, and makes suggestions for empirical research.
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
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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
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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
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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
