New research shows Right and Left can agree on good policy ... · newDemocracy Foundation – Media...
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newDemocracy Foundation – Media Release Embargoed until 6pm, Friday 5 th October 2018 1 Media Release: Embargoed until 6pm, Friday 5 th October 2018 New research shows Right and Left can agree on good policy making Independent research funded by a former Secretary of the NSW Treasury (Percy Allan), EY and the Susan McKinnon Foundation, and undertaken by two normally ‘opposed’ think tanks has found common ground on what is good policy making in Australia. After reviewing the findings, the research project’s Steering Committee - which includes ASX company chairman Glenn Barnes and social services advocates - called on major political parties to publicly commit to applying evidence-based and inclusive engagement processes when making major policy decisions in government. The newDemocracy Foundation (nDF) researches how we can ‘do democracy better’. In commissioning the project, its Executive Director, Iain Walker, commented: “Evidence-based policy making is a phrase everyone likes to use with no agreed standard of what it actually is. If we can have parties agree some basic standards in the policy process, then we are one step closer to being able to make more widely trusted decisions at all levels of government.” The research was conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), a self-described ‘free-market’ think tank identified with the Right of politics, and Per Capita Australia, a self-labelled ‘progressive’ think tank identified with the Left. Each organisation separately benchmarked the same 20 federal and state government policies against ten steps that good decision making should follow according to Professor Kenneth Wiltshire AO, the J. D. Story Professor of Public Administration at the University of Queensland Business School. The Wiltshire criteria focus on good process, not results, because the net fiscal, social, economic and environmental impact of a policy may not be known for a long time. The think tank reports’ findings involve judgements only about process, not policy. In six cases the think tanks ratings suggest a solid process had been followed by the governments involved, rather than being reactive and ad hoc as often perceived by the public. In four cases the ratings were well below par. In the balance of cases the process quality was mixed. There was joint agreement that the policies that came closest to best-practice decision making processes were legalising Uber in Queensland, voluntary assisted dying legislation in Victoria, criminal justice reforms in NSW and access to medical cannabis legislation in Victoria. The projects funders offered common reasons for wanting to pursue the project: “The Susan McKinnon Foundation believes that by improving the process of decision making on Australia’s most critical issues we can improve long-term outcomes for our country. This project is a step towards quantifying and benchmarking good policy process. It shines a light on how often our governments are failing to undertake critical steps in a rigorous evidence-based and consultative
Transcript of New research shows Right and Left can agree on good policy ... · newDemocracy Foundation – Media...
newDemocracyFoundation–MediaReleaseEmbargoeduntil6pm,Friday5thOctober2018
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MediaRelease:
Embargoeduntil6pm,Friday5thOctober2018
NewresearchshowsRightandLeftcanagreeongoodpolicymaking
IndependentresearchfundedbyaformerSecretaryoftheNSWTreasury(PercyAllan),EYandtheSusanMcKinnonFoundation,andundertakenbytwonormally‘opposed’thinktankshasfoundcommongroundonwhatisgoodpolicymakinginAustralia.Afterreviewingthefindings,theresearchproject’sSteeringCommittee-whichincludesASXcompanychairmanGlennBarnesandsocialservicesadvocates-calledonmajorpoliticalpartiestopubliclycommittoapplyingevidence-basedandinclusiveengagementprocesseswhenmakingmajorpolicydecisionsingovernment.ThenewDemocracyFoundation(nDF)researcheshowwecan‘dodemocracybetter’.Incommissioningtheproject,itsExecutiveDirector,IainWalker,commented:
“Evidence-basedpolicymakingisaphraseeveryonelikestousewithnoagreedstandardofwhatitactuallyis.Ifwecanhavepartiesagreesomebasicstandardsinthepolicyprocess,thenweareonestepclosertobeingabletomakemorewidelytrusteddecisionsatalllevelsofgovernment.”
TheresearchwasconductedbytheInstituteofPublicAffairs(IPA),aself-described‘free-market’thinktankidentifiedwiththeRightofpolitics,andPerCapitaAustralia,aself-labelled‘progressive’thinktankidentifiedwiththeLeft.Eachorganisationseparatelybenchmarkedthesame20federalandstategovernmentpoliciesagainsttenstepsthatgooddecisionmakingshouldfollowaccordingtoProfessorKennethWiltshireAO,theJ.D.StoryProfessorofPublicAdministrationattheUniversityofQueenslandBusinessSchool.TheWiltshirecriteriafocusongoodprocess,notresults,becausethenetfiscal,social,economicandenvironmentalimpactofapolicymaynotbeknownforalongtime.Thethinktankreports’findingsinvolvejudgementsonlyaboutprocess,notpolicy.Insixcasesthethinktanksratingssuggestasolidprocesshadbeenfollowedbythegovernmentsinvolved,ratherthanbeingreactiveandadhocasoftenperceivedbythepublic.Infourcasestheratingswerewellbelowpar.Inthebalanceofcasestheprocessqualitywasmixed.Therewasjointagreementthatthepoliciesthatcameclosesttobest-practicedecisionmakingprocesseswerelegalisingUberinQueensland,voluntaryassisteddyinglegislationinVictoria,criminaljusticereformsinNSWandaccesstomedicalcannabislegislationinVictoria.Theprojectsfundersofferedcommonreasonsforwantingtopursuetheproject:
“TheSusanMcKinnonFoundationbelievesthatbyimprovingtheprocessofdecisionmakingonAustralia’smostcriticalissueswecanimprovelong-termoutcomesforourcountry.Thisprojectisasteptowardsquantifyingandbenchmarkinggoodpolicyprocess.Itshinesalightonhowoftenourgovernmentsarefailingtoundertakecriticalstepsinarigorousevidence-basedandconsultative
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decision-makingprocess.WeneedgreateraccountabilityandtransparencyinourpolicysystemtodeliverbetteroutcomesforAustraliansandrestoretrustinourdemocracy.”ProfessorPercyAllanAM:“Governmentslosesupportbecauseofhalf-bakedpoliciesfoistedontoanunwittingpublicwhichprovokesabacklash.Amoreproductiveandpopularpathistotargetrealcommunityneedsthroughfact-gatheringandcitizen-inputwhencraftingapolicy.Thatremovestheelementofsurpriseandwinsconsensus.Goodpolicyprocessisalsogoodpolitics.”
Theresearchproject’sSteeringCommittee1notedthemainfindingsofthetwothinktankswere:
ExcellentProcess:
• VicVoluntaryAssistedDyingLaw2017(Averagerating9/10)• QldLegalisingRide-sharingApps(Averagerating9/10)
SoundProcess
• NSWCriminalJusticeReforms(Averagerating8.5/10)• VicAccesstoMedicalCannabisLaw2016(Averagerating8/10)
AcceptableProcess
• FedElectoralAmendmentAct2016(Averagerating7.5/10)• NSWGreyhoundRacingLaws2016&2017(Averagerating7.0/10)
UnacceptableProcess
• FedCreationof‘HomeAffairs’Dept.(Averagerating2.0/10)• FedMarriageLawPostalSurvey(Averagerating2.5/10)• NSWLocalCouncilMergers(Averagerating2.5/10)• QueenslandVegetationManagementLaws2018(Averagerating2.5/10)
Thethinktanks’yes/noscoresonthetenWiltshirecriteriawereremarkablysimilarin18ofthe20casestudies.ThissuggeststhatAustraliansmightagreeontheprocesstheywantgovernmentstofollowinmakingpoliciesespeciallywheretheyarecostlyorcontentious.Thetwocasestudieswithlessthan80%identicalscoringweretheFederalNationalEnergyGuaranteeandtheFederalMarriageLawPostalVote.However,eachthinktank’stotalratingforeachofthesecasestudieswassimilar,eventhoughtheirreasoningdiffered.Therewasclearagreementthattherewasmostscopeforimprovementingovernmentdecision-makingbyusingcost/benefitanalysis,designingarolloutplaninconjunctionwithapolicystatementandissuingaGreenPapertoelicitpublicfeedbackbeforeannouncingapolicydecisioninaWhitepaper.ProfessorWiltshirefromtheUniversityofQueensland,theauthoroftheproject’sbenchmarkingmethodologywhichwasoriginallycreatedin2012inconjunctionwiththeInstituteofPublicAdministrationAustralia(IPAA),added:
“My35yearsofresearchsuggestthatgoodpolicyprocessesresultinbetteroutcomesthandecisionsmadewithoutastrongevidencebaseandcloseconsultationwithstakeholders.”
SimonBreheny,DirectorofPolicyatTheInstituteofPublicAffairs(IPA)noted:
1Disclaimer:ProfessorPercyAllanexemptedhimselffromconsiderationoftheNSWlocalcouncilmergersandthegreyhoundracinglegislationcasestudiesbecauseofaprofessionalconflictofinterest.
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“TheInstituteofPublicAffairswasproudtoparticipateinthisprojectalongsidePerCapita.Inaneraofdecliningpublictrustinpoliticians,democracyandinstitutions,itisessentialnowmorethaneverthatpolicymakingisundertakeninathoroughandconsultativemanner.Goodpolicyprocess–fromactuallyundertakingcost-benefitanalysistohavingadetailedplanforhowapolicywillberolledout–isnotaleft-rightissue;itisanissueofbasiccompetency.”
“Whilevaluesandprinciplesareparamounttodecidewhatdirectionpolicymakingshouldtake,ifnotcombinedwithcarefulanalysisoftheproblemandgatheringofdisperseknowledge,outcomescanbedire.Wehavefoundthatfartoooftendecisionsarebeingmadeontheflywithoutproperprocess,andtheAustralianpeoplearesufferingtheconsequences.”
EmmaDawson,ExecutiveDirectorofPerCapitaAustraliastated:
“PerCapitawaspleasedtoparticipateintheproject,alongsidetheInstituteofPublicAffairs.Ourassessmentoftheselectedpoliciesagainsttheagreedcriteriarevealedtheimportanceoftakingarigorousandconsultativeapproachtopolicydevelopmentandimplementationatalllevelsofgovernment.“Whilenopolicyanalysiscanbecompletelyfreeofideologicalperspective,thisprojectdemonstratesthatthereareseveralelementsthatshouldbecommontoallwell-conceivedandimplementedpoliciesiftheyaretoefficientlyandeffectivelyservethepublicinterest.”
Aftertheendoftheembargoperiod,acopyofthismediastatementtogetherwithboththeIPAandPer
CapitareportscanbedownloadedfromthenewDemocracyFoundationwebsite:
https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/our-work/477-evidence-based-policy
Mediaenquiries:
ProfessorPercyAllanAM,Chair,EBPResearchProjectSteeringCommittee-Telephone:0298106346or
Mobile:0411727331orEmail:[email protected],DirectorofPolicy,InstituteofPublicAffairs(IPA)-Telephone:0396004744orMobile:
0400967382orEmail:[email protected],ExecutiveDirector,PerCapitaAustralia-Telephone:0383190192orMobile:0400372738
orEmail:[email protected],ExecutiveDirector,ThenewDemocracyFoundation,Tel:0412544116orMobile:0412544
116orEmail:[email protected]
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Appendix1:FAQ
• HowcanIseethefullreport?ThecommonresearchmethodologyusedandtheseparatefindingsofeachthinktankaresummarisedinAppendix1-3ofthismediarelease.Thetwothinktankresearchreportscanbedownloadedathttps://www.newdemocracy.com.au/our-
work/477-evidence-based-policy
• WhataretheWiltshirecriteria?TheWiltshirecriteriacanbefoundinAppendix3.UsingthesecriteriathethinktankseachaskedthefollowingquestionsofeachpublicpolicytoscorethenumberofYesanswersoutapossible10:
1. Need
Isthereastatementofwhythepolicywasneededbasedonfactualevidenceandstakeholderinput?
2. Objectives
Isthereastatementofthepolicy’sobjectivescouchedintermsofthepublicinterest?
3. Options
Isthereadescriptionofthealternativepolicyoptionsconsideredbeforethepreferredonewasadopted?
4. Mechanisms
Isthereadisclosureofthealternativewaysconsideredforimplementingthechosenpolicy?
5. Analysis
Isthereapublishedanalysisofthepros/consandbenefits/costsofthealternativeoptions/mechanismsconsideredin3and4?
6. Pathway
Isthereevidencethatacomprehensiveprojectmanagementplanwasdesignedforthepolicy’srollout?
7. Consultation
Wastherefurtherconsultationwithaffectedstakeholdersafterthepreferredpolicywasannounced?
8. Papers
Wasthere(a)agreenpaperseekingpublicinputonpossiblepolicyoptionsand(b)awhitepaperexplainingthefinalpolicydecision?
9. Legislation
WastherelegislationandadequateParliamentarydebateontheproposedpolicyinitiative?
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10.Communication
Isthereanonlineofficialmediareleasethatexplainsthefinalpolicyinsimple,clearandfactualterms?Source:QuestionsderivedfromtheWiltshireten-pointcriteriaandapprovedbyProfessorKennethWiltshireAO.
• Wheredidthisprojectoriginate?Theresearchproject’sSteeringCommitteewasself-selectedfromanewDemocracyforumofover100opinionleadersheldinMelbourneandSydneyinthelastyear.Participantswereaskedtoworktogethertoanswerwhatcouldbetriedtorestoretrustinpublicdecisionmaking.Asimilarbenchmarkingstudy(confinedtothefederalgovernment)wasdonein2012bytheInstituteofPublicAdministrationAustralia(IPAA)whenProfessorAllanwasitsNationalPresident.ProfessorAllanproposedtothisforumthattheexerciseshouldberevivedonanannualbasisandextendedtostategovernments.
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Appendix2-SummaryofProjectFindings
ThinkTanks’DraftReportRatingScoreson20CaseStudies
GoodPracticesClearlyshowpublicneed
Statepublicinterestgoals
Reviewpolicyoptions
Reviewways&means
Docost-benefitanalysis
Designpolicy
rolloutplan
Furtherconsultstake-holders
Issuegreen/white
papers
Tablebill&debate
Clearlyrelayfinalpolicy
TotalYeses
ThinkTanks IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC
FED:ElectoralAmendmentAct
2016YY YY YY YY Y YY YY YY 7 8
FED:MarriageLawPostalSurvey
Y Y Y YY 3 2
FED:NationalEnergy
GuaranteeYY YY Y YY YY Y Y YY 7 6
FED:EnterpriseTaxPlan
(Companytaxcuts)
YY YY YY YY YY 5 5
FED:FutureSubmarineProgram
YY YY YY YY YY YY 6 6
FED:Abolition&and
Replacementofthe457Visa
YY YY YY YY YY 5 5
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GoodPracticesClearlyshowpublicneed
Statepublicinterestgoals
Reviewpolicyoptions
Reviewways&means
Docost-benefitanalysis
Designpolicy
rolloutplan
Furtherconsultstake-holders
Issuegreen/white
papers
Tablebill&debate
Clearlyrelayfinalpolicy
TotalYeses
ThinkTanks IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC
FED:BroadcastingReformLaw
2017
YY YY Y YY YY 5 4
FED:Creationof‘HomeAffairs’
Dept. YY YY 2 2
NSW:Fire&EmergencyServicesLevy
YY Y YY YY YY 5 4
NSW:CriminalJusticeReforms
YY YY YY YY YY YY Y YY YY 9 8
NSW:GreyhoundRacingLaws2016&2017
YY Y YY Y YY YY YY YY 7 7
NSW:LocalCouncilMergers
YY Y YY 3 2
VIC:VoluntaryAssistancee
DyingLaw2017YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY 9 9
VIC:AboriginalVictorians’
TreatyProcess
Y YY Y YY YY YY YY 5 7
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GoodPracticesClearlyshowpublicneed
Statepublicinterestgoals
Reviewpolicyoptions
Reviewways&means
Docost-benefitanalysis
Designpolicy
rolloutplan
Furtherconsultstake-holders
Issuegreen/white
papers
Tablebill&debate
Clearlyrelayfinalpolicy
TotalYeses
ThinkTanks IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC
Law2018
VIC:AccesstoMedicinal
CannabisLaw2016
YY YY Y YY YY YY Y YY YY 7 9
VIC:ClimateChangeLaw
2017YY YY YY Y YY YY 5 6
QLD:LegalisingRide-Sharing
Apps(e.g.Uber)YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY 9 9
QLD:NorthQueenslandStadium
Y Y YY YY YY 3 5
QLD:TacklingAlcohol-FuelledViolenceLaw
Y YY YY Y YY YY 4 6
QLD:VegetationManagementLaws2018
Y YY YY 2 3
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Legend:Y=Yes,otherwiseNo.
IPA=InstituteofPublicAffairs
PC=PerCapita
Sources:
• IPA,EvidenceBasedPolicyResearchProject-20CaseStudies,AReportCommissionedbytheEvidence-BasedPolicyResearchProjectfacilitatedbythenewDemocracyFoundation,September2018(Principalauthor:MatthewLesh,ResearchFellow).
• PerCapita,EvidenceBasedPolicyAnalysis-20caseStudies,AReportCommissionedbytheEvidence-BasedPolicyResearchProjectfacilitatedbythenewDemocracyFoundation,September2018(Principalauthor,AbigailLewis,ResearchAssociate).
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Appendix3–TheWiltshireCriteria
BasedonanarticlefortheCommitteefortheEconomicDevelopmentofAustralia(CEDA)byProfessorKennethWiltshireAOoftheUniversityofQueenslandBusinessSchool,theessentailelementsinvolvedindevelopingabusinensscaseinapublicpolicycontextcanbestatedasfollows:
Source:InstituteofPublicAdministrationAustralia(IPAA),PublicPolicyDrift-Whygovernmentsmustreplace‘policyontherun’and‘policybyfiat’witha‘businesscase’approachtoregainpublicconfidence,April2012,pageviii.
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Appendix4–ProjectAcknowledgements
ProjectSponsor:IainWalker,ExecutiveDirector,newDemocracyFoundation.ProjectSteeringCommittee:ProfessorPercyAllanAM,ChairoftheSteeringCommittee.iGlennBarnes,ChairmanofAnsellLimitedandNon-ExecutiveDirectoroftheSydneyChildren’sHospital
Foundation.PeterDoukas,ChairoftheEthnicCommunities’CouncilofNSWandManagingDirectoroflawfirmDenison
Toyer.VerityFirth,ExecutiveDirectorofSocialJusticefortheCentreforSocialJusticeandInclusion,Universityof
TechnologySydney(UTS).JaniceLee,Director,InfrastructureAdvisory,EYwhoreplacedPeterCrone,ChiefEconomist,EYafterhe
becamePrincipalAdvisertotheAustralianTreasurer.SamMellett,DirectoroftheSusanMcKinnonFoundationwhichsponsorsresearchintoboldnewsolutions
toentrenchedproblems.KirstyNowlan,ExecutiveDirectorofStrategicEngagement,Research,andAdvocacyattheBenevolent
Society.ProjectEditorialPanel:DrKennethWiltshireAO,J.D.StoryProfessorofPublicAdministrationattheUniversityofQueenslandand
authorofseveralbooksonpublicadministration.PercyAllanAM,Principal,PercyAllan&AssociatesPtyLtd,apublicpolicyconsultancy,andVisiting
Professor,MacquarieGraduateSchoolofManagement.iiMartinStewart-Weeks,Principal,PublicPurpose,anindependentadvisorypracticeworkingatthe
intersectionofgovernment,policy,technologyandinnovation.FinancialSponsorsEY:https://www.ey.com/au/en/services/advisorySusanMcKinnonFoundation:http://www.susanmckinnon.org.au/PercyAllanAM:http://www.percyallan.com.au/IndependentThinkTanksEmmaDawson,ExecutiveDirectorandAbigailLewis,ResearchAssociate,PerCapitaAustralia,aprogressive
thinktank.
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SimonBreheny,DirectorofPolicyandMatthewLesh,ResearchFellow,InstituteofPublicAffairsAustralia(IPA),afree-marketthinktank.
OtherThanksProfessorPeterShergoldAC,NationalPresident,InstituteofPublicAdministrationAustraliaforpermittingreproductionofchartsfromtheIPAApublicationPublicPolicyDrift,2012.iDisclaimer:ProfessorPercyAllanexemptedhimselffromconsiderationoftheNSWlocalcouncilmergersandthegreyhoundracingbancasestudiesduetoaprofessionalconflictofinterest.iiDisclaimer:ProfessorPercyAllanbecauseofaprofessionalconflictofinterestexemptedhimselffromconsiderationoftheNSWlocalcouncilmergersandthegreyhoundracingbancasestudies.
