Sixteen Policy capacity in the community sector
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Susan Goodwin
Abstract
Non-government community sector organisations (CSOs) have come to assume an increasingly important role in Australian social policy. CSOs have expanded their role as service providers, and many have also increased their policy capacity in recent deacades. Policy staff have been recruited into CSOs, complementing the traditional focus on services and advocacy. The concept of ‘policy analytical capacity’, referring to the capacity within organisations to acquire and utilise knowledge in policy processes, helps to highlight changes in the sector. The chapter also explores how Australian social policy processes might be affected by policy analysis and policy research becoming more strongly positioned in the community sector.
Abstract
Non-government community sector organisations (CSOs) have come to assume an increasingly important role in Australian social policy. CSOs have expanded their role as service providers, and many have also increased their policy capacity in recent deacades. Policy staff have been recruited into CSOs, complementing the traditional focus on services and advocacy. The concept of ‘policy analytical capacity’, referring to the capacity within organisations to acquire and utilise knowledge in policy processes, helps to highlight changes in the sector. The chapter also explores how Australian social policy processes might be affected by policy analysis and policy research becoming more strongly positioned in the community sector.
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
-
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
