Policy Analysis in Australia provides a broad range of perspectives on the location, scope, challenges, and quality of policy analysis in Australia. It accounts for the diverse sources of policy analysis and advice, within and outside government; and the diverse institutional settings in which analysis and decision-making are undertaken. Unlike books that critically assess policy development and policy outcomes in different policy fields, this volume focuses on the nature and quality of the various processes and organisational locations for the production and distribution of policy ideas and p ... More

Policy Analysis in Australia provides a broad range of perspectives on the location, scope, challenges, and quality of policy analysis in Australia. It accounts for the diverse sources of policy analysis and advice, within and outside government; and the diverse institutional settings in which analysis and decision-making are undertaken. Unlike books that critically assess policy development and policy outcomes in different policy fields, this volume focuses on the nature and quality of the various processes and organisational locations for the production and distribution of policy ideas and policy analysis. It considers the policy capacities of the diverse organisations and forums in which policy development, deliberation and review are undertaken. In a variety of circumstances, within and beyond government, policy analysis is treated as applying intellect to debating and addressing public problems. The distinctive features of policy analysis in Australia, as well as broad similarities with other liberal democracies, are considered.