Fourteen Business associations and policy analysis
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Stephen Bell
Abstract
This chapter focuses on how business associations in Australia engage in public policy analysis and how this role has evolved over recent decades. Business associations in Australia are voluntary associations that rely on subscriptions from member firms or subordinate associations to pursue their roles. They range from industry-specific or sectoral associations servicing or representing a particular industry, to broader cross-sectoral or umbrella associations. This chapter explores the rise of policy analysis and RBA by business associations in Australia, focussing initially on the role of the Business Council of Australia and then on other major national business associations.Issues explored include the challenges of policy analysis, how business associations see their role in this field, and how in operating in this arena they relate to governments and to other business associations and stakeholders.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on how business associations in Australia engage in public policy analysis and how this role has evolved over recent decades. Business associations in Australia are voluntary associations that rely on subscriptions from member firms or subordinate associations to pursue their roles. They range from industry-specific or sectoral associations servicing or representing a particular industry, to broader cross-sectoral or umbrella associations. This chapter explores the rise of policy analysis and RBA by business associations in Australia, focussing initially on the role of the Business Council of Australia and then on other major national business associations.Issues explored include the challenges of policy analysis, how business associations see their role in this field, and how in operating in this arena they relate to governments and to other business associations and stakeholders.
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
