摘要:

Abstract:The establishment by the present Labor government of an advisory panel on ministerial staff appointments is discussed. It is suggested that this procedure had political benefits, but did not significantly influence the composition of the ministerial staff group. The ministerial staff of the ALP government are described and compared with those of the previous ALP government 1972‐75, and of the Liberal‐National Party coalition government 1975‐83. It is found that there has been a weakening of the bureaucratic element in this government's private offices compared with both the coalition government and the previous Labor government. The ascendance of “political types” is matched by a commitment to the party program and a high estimate among staffers of their contribution to the policy‐making process. In other respects this group shares with its predecessors the characteristics of being mostly male, relatively young, highly educated and disproportionately from non‐government schools. About half are from inside and half from outside the p

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01011.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:The report of the Science Task Force of the Royal Commission on Australian Government Administration rekindled an old debate on autonomy versus accountability for government scientists. The rationale given there for allowing the natural science community great discretion in managing its own affairs while in receipt of very considerable public funds did not get much support in the debate. Unfortunately, the debate did little to illuminate the problems facing those charged with producing creative, but relevant research in public institutions. A more productive way of tackling the question of autonomy and accountability is to see whose interests are promoted by different stances on the issue. Some critics represent the quest for autonomy as simple power‐seeking by professional elites. Yet the institutional setting for many supposedly autonomous scientists involved in successful innovation in industry often involves extensive interaction with non‐scientists. User groups — such as the agricultural commodities research committees — influence scientists through a loosely coordinated network. In this situation a form of accountability exists, although it is not exerted through formal parliamentary mechanisms. The arrangements have some elements of corporatism. Autonomy is not prominent within this setting except elusively as a rationale used to blunt temporarily the impact of particular interest group demands that threaten the continuity required to realize investments in long‐term research projects. In this case, autonomy is essentially a myth. However, to the extent that it allows scientific institutions to combine interaction in the practical world that their research must serve with some insulation from short‐term political or interest group pressures, it may be valuable for successful research management. Science administrators sometimes regulate the research of their juniors quite closely, indicating that even individual “scientific autonomy” can be a very limited form of freedom. None the less, it can be managed in such a way as to allow creative talent to flourish within an accountable structure albeit one that departs from the conventional norms of respons

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01012.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:The Commonwealth Grants Commission was established in 1933 to inquire into the payment of special grants to the States. It has retained this function to the present day, and has also conducted inquiries into grants to local government, the distribution of general revenue assistance to the States, and the financial position of the Territories. Although special grants had been paid for over twenty years before the establishment of the Commission, the principle upon which grants should be based had not been determined. The first members of the Commission, after debating the merits of grants based on financial need and grants based on disabilities due to federation, adopted in their third report the principle of fiscal equalization which the Commission still follows. Under this principle grants are assessed that enable each State to provide a standard level of service to its residents so long as it levies taxes at standard rates. The Commission operates as a semi‐judicial body, receiving written submissions and conducting public hearings at which witnesses from the States and the Commonwealth Treasury are examined on oath. It also conducts an extensive analysis of State government finances and other information in arriving at its conclusions. Over the years many distinguished Australians have served on the Commission, and their work has contributed to the high reputation enjoyed by the Commission in carrying out its task of maintaining a balance in the fiscal position of the State

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01013.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:A comparison of contemporary lists of Cabinet ministers with those of the 1850s or 1900s shows a substantial increase in the number of portfolio titles and the appearance of many new titles. However examination of the record of the designation of new portfolios shows very little by way of pattern. Initially Victoria made the innovations, and overall Victoria and New South Wales account for two‐thirds of new titles. But long periods of time have elapsed between the first and final adoption of a new title, and some titles which might have been expected to be attractive were introduced relatively late in the day. Murray Edelman's view that much government activity is directed to providing “symbolic reassurance” is not substantiated, with the possible exception of the 1970s when an unusually rapid and extensive round of portfolio initiation took place. It is suggested that more detailed study of why particular portfolios were brought into use might be rewa

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01014.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:This paper starts from an argument, developed by Jean Martin in 1978, which links recent ethnic differentiation of the activities and structures of our major institutions with an underlying social redefinition of migrants. It then extends Martin's analysis in the particular context of the service activities of one of the major line departments of Australian government — the Department of Social Security. It is argued that the accommodation of ethnic considerations within the daily activities of administration has occurred largely through the concept of “access to services”. Using this concept, administrators have been able acceptably to define the problem of ethnic disadvantage and to develop programs which approach its solution. The formula has been applied to Aboriginal as well as migrant disadvantage and reasons for the similarity of approach are considered briefly. A range of recent initiatives which make reference to the migrant and Aboriginal clienteles of government are considered — in particular, DSS services, namely language services, migrant and Aboriginal public contact staffing, information services and advocacy/agency programs. All of these are seen within administration, as approaches to the “access” problem. The final section comments on the general characteristics of this “access” formula and on its success in both accommodating ethnic claims of disadvantage and reinforcing administrative commitments

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01015.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01016.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01017.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1984.tb01018.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1984

数据来源: WILEY