Policy
The New Zealand government has established a set of national priority targets. Here is the first update. Several measures are still going in the wrong direction. Treasury, in their briefing on targets, noted that the advantage of targets is that they create a sense of urgency but cautioned that the narrow focus on a target can result in actions that miss the point of what is trying to be achieved...
The first episode in this series on ignorance is worth listening to. It is a reminder about the dangers of thinking that those who live in the capital city know enough to design programs for the rest of their jurisdiction...
Governments often decide to set priorities and to measure their progress against them. There is merit in this and it can lead to unintended consequences. You should read this article about the Cobra effect and the associated article about Campbell’s law...
This website focuses on Asia pacific diplomacy and defence. It is worth reading this article to understand some of the carrots and sticks that Australia will be considering...
NSW Public Servants ordered back into the office
The Secretary of the Premier's Department has issued a circular effectively requiring NSW public servants to work from their office. We do not know the full detail of how it will be implemented but there is a big divide opening between jurisdictions and their approach to flexible work...
As warfare changes, so does Australian strategy
A clear explanation of Australia’s recent Defence strategy. Australia will double its defence expenditure over the next decade...
Has the economics profession lost its way?
An analysis of how the economics profession encouraged profit above humanity...
Beyond Westminster?: 2023 Edition
An assessment of the health of the Westminster government in New Zealand. A comment that resonated was "If the PM and his advisors cannot extract Cabinet out of the detail, they will become a deeply operational Cabinet, and in doing so undermine the public service’s independence and capability". This sounds familiar!..
The Houthi attacks on shipping have caused the price of petrol and other goods to rise. It is worth reading this background to understand what is going on...
Why Australia should be celebrating Taiwan's free elections
An excellent article which explains why the results of the recent Taiwanese election are so important...
This book chapter is written by Wayne Eagleson who was the Chief of Staff to John Key, the New Zealand Prime Minister. It is worth reading to help you understand what it takes to knit the system together...
How might artificial intelligence affect the trustworthiness of public service delivery?
The first APS Long-term Insight Briefing. It is good to see the reference to empathy being an element in good design...
A Considered Use of AI in Government
A Canadian comparative study of AI failures by governments and the lessons to be learned in designing, implementing and governing these systems. The Australian example of an AI failure is Robodebt...
The management and assurance of integrity by consulting services
Professor Marianne Mazzucato is author of the book 'The Big Con: How the consulting industry weakens our business, infantilizes our governments and warps our economies.' Here is her submission to the Australian Senate Inquiry into Consulting Services...
Spatial Inequality, Partnership Deals and Place Based Systems Change
This article summarises international examples of place based interventions, lessons learned and looks at emerging possibilities...
Guidance for deciding when to use a consultant
These Victorian guidelines are a good framework for deciding when to use a consultant. The flow chart and examples at the bottom of the document are particularly good...
Our lives are much better than they have ever been and yet we are always consumed by problems. In every area of endeavour, the more problems we solve, the more that appear. The research in this article explains why. There are significant implications for policy makers and for how resources should be allocated...
James Plunkett writes a blog on how to do better policy. In this post he notes that most of our most difficult policy problems require a completely different approach. They require more bespoke responses tailored to what works in the local circumstances. This requires innovation to be led by front line staff...
In extremis: what Ukraine 2.0 tells us about reforming government and the public sector
Ukraine is using its’ national crisis to as a catalyst for reform of the public sector. An excellent blog from Martin Stewart-Weeks...
Shaping AI and edtech to tackle Australia’s learning divide
Can high-quality edtech be used to improve outcomes for disadvantaged students? This expert report finds that it can – but only if this edtech is well-designed, well-used and well-governed. It is worth looking at the three case studies...
PwC has put ethical consultants and public servants in harm's way
There is a danger that good people who have worked for PwC or engaged them have their behaviour brought into question. This is a problem of media storms. Don't be lazy, treat people on their merits...
A very thoughtful blog post from Sean Innis. This is an overlooked policy issue. Flexible work, the four day week, government services that save time rather than make work and rules to allow workers to have undisrupted weekends. Who knows, the idea of the sabbath may return...
Finland had adopted an approach called on ‘humble government’ based on thin consensus, devolved decision making and peer learning. Humility is a great strength. You should read this...
A new podcast series from Apolitical and the Centre for Public Impact (BCG). They are worth listening to...
Robodebt follows a well-worn path
I have written before about the UK scandal highlighted in the film 'I, Daniel Blake.' Here is another scandal driven by algorithms in Holland which resulted in the whole Cabinet resigning. We need to pay more attention to case studies from overseas...
5 time-tested lessons for public servants
5 lessons for reform minded public servants from a former public servant...
The Synthesis Gap: reducing the imbalance between advice and absorption in handling big challenges
We complicate to understand and simplify to decide' - and between the two is the policy adviser! This essay, by long-time UK public policy expert Geoff Mulgan, is about the art of synthesis, with the subtitle of 'reducing the imbalance between advice and absorption in handling big challenges'. Conceptually elegant, with many thought-provoking insights...
How To Run A Government: So That Citizens Benefit And Taxpayers Don't Go Crazy
Minister Plibersek has asked that all staff in her department read this book. It provides advice on how to run a government. If you are interested in policy and good outcomes, you should read it...
Eighty years on from his famous report, it’s time to bust the Beveridge myth
Why we must look beyond Beveridge's seminal report if we are going to find the solutions to our current levels of inequality...
How we approach the rising cost of care says a lot about our society...
Contemplating the future of democracy in 2040 and beyond. A blog by James Plunkett who has a fine policy mind...
This Irish government research paper looks at four case studies of Just Transitions. Providing support and a future for those towns and individuals displaced by the move to renewables is one of our country’s biggest challenges...
Most of the insufficiencies of government can be traced back to a fundamental misunderstanding about how to ‘solve’ the problems society faces. This UK government article gives advice on how to successfully navigate complex policy problems...
New politics: Preventing pork-barrelling
Pork-barrelling – misusing public money for political gain – is common in Australia and it’s undermining our democracy...
Politics and the English language
Minister Plibersek has asked that the Secretary send this article to all staff in her department with a request that they read it. It provides advice about how to write clearly...
Published by Policy Horizons a strategic foresight organisation within the Canadian Government. This paper looks at how the life course is changing and what that means for future social and economic policy...
ICAC Report on Investigation into Pork Barrelling in NSW
ICAC found that in certain circumstances pork barrelling can constitute corrupt behaviour and that criminal punishment is warranted. This report is a shot across the bows of NSW politicians and will influence behaviour in other jurisdictions...
Policy Transformation in Canada
Neil Bouwer, Vice President of the Canadian School of Public Service, explains how the process for developing good policy is being radically changed. You should be aware of this. This is coming our way...
Australia needs an Indo-Pacific Strategy
An excellent article from Richard Maude on why Australia should develop a formal Indo-Pacific Strategy...
A podcast interview with James Plunkett about how policy and service design will have to be done differently in the future. He provides advice to public servants about how to take advantage of flux and uncertainty. He also reminds us that ethics is more important than economics. I strongly recommend this to you all...
The progressive closure of the coal industry will wipe out a number of regional towns. We have a history of not investing in ‘just transitions’. It is time to start being fair to those areas that are affected by this disruption...
Public Participation in Government in the Future
New Zealand now requires Departments to publish ‘Long Term Insight Briefings’ on topics of importance to the future of the country. This consultation draft is one of the first. It is a ground-breaking document in many ways and a good sign for the future of a healthy democracy...
Big Breakthrough in NSW Governance
The NSW Legislative Council now requires that every government bill be accompanied by a statement of public interest. It is worth looking at the details. Expect more jurisdictions to follow...
Vital Signs: what the neoliberalism-hating left should love about markets
A well-argued defence of why the markets matter, as long as they are effectively regulated...
Trade reimagined and Rethinking regulators
Each week Tom Burton from the Australian Financial review publishes a newsletter on the public sector. I recommend you subscribe to it. In this edition of the newsletter two very important issues are covered - the radical redesign of how imports and exports are processed and the debate about regulatory trends...
Fifteen academics argue for a programme of positive research to uncover examples of public sector programmes and interventions that lead to positive outcomes. A very good suggestion...
Tech's Exponential Growth – and How to Solve the Problems It's Created
An excellent overview of what is happening with big tech and the importance of regulators and policymakers thinking about how to avoid the problems that are emerging. Listen through to the end...
Fixing the ‘demand side’ - helping ministers perform
This article outlines how to develop a strategic policy program with a minister and their advisers. It is based on experience in New Zealand...
Gridlock: Removing barriers to policy reform
Fewer policy reforms are being undertaken in Australia. This a deep analysis of what is stopping reform and what can be done about it. It should be compulsory reading for public servants...
Australia vs New Zealand. You can tell a lot about a country by the way it budgets
An interesting analysis about the similarities and differences in the recent Budgets in Australia and New Zealand. The author suggests that Australia should again look at the merits of a wellbeing framework...
You can’t fix the economy if you can’t see it: how the ABS became our secret weapon
The ABS changed the way they operated during the Pandemic and the data they were able to provide the government made a very big impact. Comment: The Commonwealth government has increasingly realised the power of big data and is willing to invest to get access to more of it...
A foreign policy for the middle class
The declining middle class in the US and rising income inequality has led to a polarisation of politics. Effective foreign policy needs to have an eye to domestic distributional impacts because they impact on social stability. Expect a move in the US to a policy of supporting national competitiveness. A reminder about the importance of policy integration across international, economic and social policy...
Securing Australia in an age of disruption
A landmark interview with the Secretary of Defence, Greg Moriarty. No matter what Department you work in, this should be compulsory viewing. It will help you to understand our future. Highly recommended...
Making space for incidental inspiration (also known as, why we all need to take more baths)
A very thoughtful article on how unstructured time increases your creativity, ability to innovate and ultimately, your productivity. This is the first blog post from Thea Snow a former SES officer and Learning Group member who is an expert on Government innovation...
The Decadent Society: How We Became the Victims of Our Own Success
Why has progress stalled in so many areas and what will recreate the conditions for breakthroughs in policy and technology. This article argues that extreme optimism and extreme pessimism are both problematic. What is needed is moderation...
Second-Order Thinking: What Smart People Use to Outperform
The best way to examine the long-term consequences of our decisions is to use second-order thinking. This is an important skill...
Three steps for regulators to embrace behavioural science
This short article outlines three simple rules to help regulators gain the greatest benefit from new and applied research in behavioural science. ANZSOG has a community of practice for regulators which can be found here...
Thomas Friedman writes in The New York Times (paywall) that greed and globalisation set us up for disaster and that ultimately what matters the most is the ‘Golden Rule’ - do unto others as you wish them to do unto you...
Richard Maude on the Indo-Pacific
This is an excellent podcast which gives an overview of our Region, and Australia's place in it. Richard Maude, who recently retired from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to move to the Asia Society Policy Institute, is an outstanding intellect and well worth listening to...
What do effective founders and researchers have in common
The best people have the ability to spot important, unsolved problems and to work to find a solution. They work hard and have a bias towards action. Sounds a lot like the skills needed for a successful public servant...
Heather Smith on fixing the G20, industrial policy, tech competition and what economists get wrong
This interview with Allan Gyngell and the former Secretary of the Department of Industry is excellent. Recommended...
A fascinating discussion about the challenge of preparing for and responding to extreme events. The lessons from COVID-19 apply equally to other natural disasters, and other events with potentially major impacts such as cybercrime, wars, IT procurement and climate change. Worth reading...
Covid-19 and inter-generational equity
An article by Michael Keating, the former Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet, about policies that should be considered to improve inter-generational equity...
From the service paradigm to the enablement paradigm: reimagining government post crisis
This article offers a vision of how we could reimagine government after the COVID-19 disruption...
Infrastructure: Australia's list of priority projects
Somewhat lost in the flow of events was the release of the annual list of priority infrastructure projects in Australia. The top of the list is Indigenous arts and cultural centres. It is worth a look...
2020 Edelman Trust Barometer - global report
The 20th annual report is now available. There are three key findings for me - inequality is an increasing factor in the decline of trust; people no longer believe that working hard will lead to a better life and in Australia trust in institutions amongst the informed public is 68% while it is 45% among the mass population. It is time for more work on inequality!..
The Value Of Everything: Making and Taking in the Global Economy - by Mariana Mazzucato
Who really creates wealth in our world? And how do we decide the value of what they do? In modern capitalism, value-extraction - the siphoning off of profits, from shareholders' dividends to bankers' bonuses - is rewarded more highly than value-creation - the productive process that drives a healthy economy and society...
Thomas Friedman talks about The World In 2019
Thomas Friedman has a column in the New York Times. This hour long podcast provides an excellent analysis of the challenges that we face and what we can do about it. I strongly recommend that you make the time to listen to it...
Trust is the foundation of society. Without a basic level of trust regarding the intentions and expected behaviour of other human beings, our modern civilization would very quickly disintegrate into total chaos...
Improving your productivity - a lifelong quest
The quality of our thinking is proportional to the ‘mental’ models in our head and their usefulness in the situation at hand. The more models you have - the bigger your toolbox - the more likely you are to have the right models to see reality. It turns out that when it comes to improving your ability to make decisions variety matters. Here are 109 mental models explained. The more that you master, the better decisions you will make...
Can Australian Treasury Regain Its Economic Policy Influence?
Paul Tilley, a former Treasury official, has written a book on the history of Treasury. Here is a brief summary including the comment that ‘A challenge for Treasury (and other public service agencies) is how to maintain its capabilities. With Treasury’s economic policy advising capacities being less called upon, they are in danger of withering on the vine'...
To restore trust in government, we need to reinvent how the public service works
ANZSOG commissioned this research which found that ‘Around the world, the most informed and effective public servants are changing the way they develop policy and services. Australian public servants are eager to do the same, but their leaders are not supporting them to do so.’ Worth a read...
HILDA survey - Australians increasingly time poor
The HILDA survey is a goldmine of data. Time matters. Here is one example - Australians spend an average of 4.5 hours a week travelling to and from work which is 23% cent higher than in 2002. The commute is impacting wellbeing and job satisfaction. Expect a greater focus on saving Australians time...
Time And Policy: A Thought Provoker
This is a great article from the ANU - they argue that public policy does not place a value on time and that this needs to change. They are right and I expect that this is going to become a significant policy issue...
Another cracker of an article from Thomas Friedman that gives an excellent explanation of what has been and is now going on between China and the US in relation to trade. Recommended...
The next long wave of reform - where will the ideas come from?
An excellent speech given by Terry Moran in which he suggests that the next wave of policy reform will focus on localism and on the citizen. I think that he is right and I recommend that you read this as a way of gaining foresight of emerging policy trends...
Mental health in Australia: a quick guide
The Parliamentary Library has developed this quick guide to help Members of Parliament, their staff and the general public get a sense of the size of the problem. A very good overview...
Oliver Sacks on the Three Essential Elements of Creativity
This is an older article but it forecast a trend that is growing – we are moving away from smaller government to an era of bigger government. The pendulum is swinging back to greater government intervention and I expect a larger public sector...
WA Premier commits to 12 priorities
Taking a leaf from New Zealand and NSW, the WA Premier has committed his government to delivering on 12 priorities. Each priority includes measurable targets for Ministers and senior public servants that can be transparently tracked on the program's website. Which jurisdiction will be next?..
Finland basic income trial left people ‘happier but jobless’
From January 2017 until December 2018, 2,000 unemployed Finns got a monthly flat payment of $A885. The aim was to see if a guaranteed safety net would help people find jobs, and support them if they had to take insecure gig economy work. While employment levels did not improve, participants said they felt happier and less stressed. So, did the trial fail - well it depends on how you define success...
The Regional consequences of economic activity
This speech by Steven Kennedy, the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities is excellent and well worth reading. He covers issues including the distribution of wealth and opportunity in cities and Regions, reflects on how well Australia has been performing and touches on areas in which governments can invest to reduce the impact of disruption...
The Australian Government has the wrong assumptions built into its budget
Michael Keating is a former Secretary of the Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Finance. He has modelled the budget forward estimates and argues that we need to reduce inequality and increase wages to provide the stimulus that the economy needs...
Grattan Institute develops an ‘Orange Book’
The Grattan Institute has developed a series of indicators which compare performance across States and Territories which they hope will help voters to consider the issues in their jurisdiction which matter...
Striking A Balance Between Well-Being And Growth
Promoting the well-being of citizens is widely accepted as the primary goal of good government. This interactive presentation demonstrates that increasing living standards helps in strengthening economic growth. At a time when governments are worried about low wage growth this is worth a look...
How well is Australia and New Zealand doing on social mobility
Is the social elevator broken? In Australia and New Zealand it takes four generations for descendants of low income families to reach average income. We are strong at using education to enable mobility but need to improve vocational programmes and reduce barriers to labour mobility...
Shifting the dial – a speech by Peter Harris
Peter Harris is the Chairman of the Productivity Commission. In this speech he talks about changes that Australia could make in education and health to lift its productivity. He also reflects on the advantages of our immigration programme and low tariffs...
Podcast with Michael Keating talking about who in Australia is and is not getting a fair share and what the government should do about it. He is a former Secretary of the Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet...
Revisiting Henderson, poverty and basic income
In this podcast, Michelle Grattan interviews Professor Brian Howe, the former Deputy Prime Minister. He raises some radical options about how to re-engineer support for low income earners. He is one of our great former politicians (measured by what he has contributed after leaving politics)...
Productivity Commission Report on how to improve productivity in Australia. They have taken a very broad view and suggest reforms in areas including health, education, cities and towns, infrastructure, skills, planning, energy, innovation, regulation and taxation...
An excellent article that looks at the divide that exists between those staff involved in policy and those involved in delivery. The impact of this is wasted talent and less responsive services. Highly recommended...
Policy Options to Tackle Economic Uncertainty
Productivity Commissioner Peter Harris, speaking at the Melbourne Institute’s Economic and Social Outlook Conference proposes a later retirement age and the right to return back to school later in life...
Using artificial swarms to reach agreement on relative priorities
Jeff Bezos wants to give away $86B. A form of artificial intelligence called ‘swarm intelligence’ reach agreement across a huge number of respondents – Bezos should invest in ‘clean water for all’. Does this technology have broader application for shaping policy priorities?..
Tomorrow's Digitally Enabled Workforce
CSIRO Report on megatrends and scenarios for jobs and employment in Australia over the next twenty years. What is the future for you and your children and what are the policy implications?..
When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism
Why globalists need to rethink their approach if they are going to avoid a backlash from nationalists...
Powering Australia's Economic Surge
George Megalogenis’ opinion piece in the New York Times. Some great statistics on the positive impact that Immigration has had on Australia and its growth...
Victoria's Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy
This is a very well written document and a good process of engagement. It is great to see some long term thinking. It is worth a skim...
A citizens comment on Red Tape in the public service
A very entertaining exchange of letters between a department and a landowner. I recommend that you read this!..
Citizens’ Jury to decide the future of Geelong democracy
Well done to Victoria in using a Citizen Jury to recommend the way ahead for Geelong. We will see more use of Citizens’ Juries in the future...
Saving Globalization and Technology from Themselves
A business perspective on why we can expect more protectionism and political instability unless we better share the benefits of globalisation and technology...
French Legislation Suggests Employees Deserve The Right To Disconnect
Are you getting work related emails and texts at all hours? Where is the boundary between work and home? The French are legislating to require companies with more than 50 employees to document a policy...
What will the public sector look like in 10 years?
Chris Eccles, the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet argues the case for outcomes based policy and outlines examples of where it has worked and of policy priorities that would benefit from this approach. I expect that Bill English, the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister would enjoy this speech...
A very good read about the ethical underpinnings of a 'good life' and A practical approach to dealing with inequality and poverty...
We are moving beyond Government grants and charity based models to an investment approach to supporting disadvantaged people. A great podcast on work being done in the US to improve education, social housing and community cohesion for disadvantaged people while also making a profit...
Characteristics of Children of greater risk of poor outcomes as adults.
This is ground breaking work by NZ Treasury. The infographic is outstanding. This work will help underpin NZ's investment approach to social disadvantage...
Late last year NSW, following in the footsteps of NZ, announced the 12 Premier's priorities and the 18 State priorities for NSW. This is a helpful step towards joined up government...
A good article for those in policy and service delivery roles...
The next wave of technology will impact your children's futures, the skills that your department will need and government policy...
United Kingdom Labour's policy manifesto. It is worth scanning the comments in each area of government...
This is an organisation that the Premier's departments in NSW and Victoria have used to help them improve the writing and the workflow underpinning the preparation of documents for Cabinet...
Melbourne's democracy experiment pays off
Citizen juries can assist in democratic renewal. Read this great example from the Melbourne City Council...
A new trend which could disrupt the power of the internet...
The new FTA with China - an interesting back story...
Why well-being should drive growth strategies
A very interesting article which tracks countries comparative wealth and well-being...
A new policy blog edited by two former Secretaries of PM&C in Australia - John Menadue and Mike Keating...
Policy Guide - UK Election 2015 - BBC News
A guide to political parties' positions on key issues. Look up what was proposed in your portfolio...
If you are interested in the future of energy, watch this video. It has very big implications for how we live...
Citizen's juries provide one way of working through complex policy problems. Here is a great example from Melbourne City Council...
National Press Club Address: Catherine Livingstone
Catherine Livingstone AO, President of the Business Council of Australia, talking about the policy challenges facing Australia...
Ending the Great Australian Complacency of the Early Twenty First Century
Lecture by Ross Garnaut in which he highlights the leadership challenges of adjusting to the end of ‘the longest period of economic expansion unbroken by recession of any developed country ever’. He says that there is a stark choice for governments - keep going as we are or to restore public interest based policy making...