TOPIC 4.12: Public inquiry – policy review in the public interest
All this discussion could break your trust in a procedural system such as the policy cycle. The arguments that are made are all valid and reflect reality. But we must constantly come back to the point that even though it is imperfect, the policy cycle provides advantages over a landscape in which it is absent. This is increasingly being recognised in the review of policy implementation in Australia.
When policy goes wrong, the solutions invariably point to a preference for reliance on a rigorous process that considers all inputs and implications rather than a purely politically driven solution designed to simply power play.
60 min
Listen to the following presentation in which the speaker outlines the importance of both gathering knowledge via inquiries and the procedural implementation of policy. Professor Gary Banks. Dean of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government. Former head of the Productivity Commission.
Reflection
- Which part of the Strategic Plan do you contribute to?
- What policy priorities are signalled by the Strategic Plan?
Conclusion
Module 4 – Policy communities – has encouraged you to think about the policy process in a networked government.
We acknowledged the policy life cycle whilst appreciating that policy is contested and complex and that the policy process is iterative. Multiple stakeholders, including policy communities compete and collaborate for policy attention using multiple media to influence decisions.
Defining a policy ‘problem’ is challenging and through participation, processes may be redefined to accommodate diverse social, political, economic and environmental interests.
As government shifts towards enabling service delivery there is increasing policy interest in co-production and co-design of initiatives. To gain the benefits of social innovation, inclusive practices are emerging for individuals and communities to engage as social entrepreneurship for social capital.
Evidence based policy and models of accountability mirror the complexity of participation processes in policy development and implementation.
As managers manage outwards in a networked government, information management and accountability challenges are likely to be shared between cross-sector partners. A minimalist approach to ascertaining your accountability is to check the line of sight between legislation relevant to your role and your formal delegated authority to act. With respect to the strategic triangle, however, ignore your co-producers at your peril!
The next module expands on the need to work effectively with private, non-government and not-for-profit providers in order to:
- Provide the right services at the right price
- Generate service innovations
- Transform government business
In the next module, Contestable Government, we will consider diverse approaches to ensuring that government services are appropriate, targeted and sustainable.