The Australian Policy Handbook

Front Cover
Public policy permeates every aspect of our lives. It gives us roads, railways and airports, emergency services, industry development, and natural resource management. While politicians make the decisions, public servants provide analysis and support for those choices. Drawing on their extensive practical experience, the authors of the Australian Policy Handbook outline the processes used in making public policy. They systematically explain the relationships among political decision-makers, public service advisers, other community participants, and those charged with implementing the resulting programs. The fifth edition of this widely-used introduction is fully updated and includes new material on policy complexity, best practice and smart practice, disaster management and community engagement, and the increased role of non-profit organizations in delivering services.

About the author (2013)

CATHERINE ALTHAUS is Assistant Professor in the School of Public Administration at University of Victoria, Canada. She was formerly an ANZSOG Research Fellow at the Australian National University, and has worked as a policy officer in Queensland Treasury. PETER BRIDGMAN is a consultant specialising in public policy, governance and integrity, and has worked within and for governments in Australia and internationally. He has led several government agencies and developed policy and legislation across a wide range of areas. PROFESSOR GLYN DAVIS AC has combined an academic career teaching public policy with practical experience in government. A former Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in Queensland, Professor Davis was Foundation Chair of ANZSOG. He is now Vice Chancellor at the University of Melbourne.

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