摘要:

Abstract:The assets test episode provides a case study in the difficulties modern governments face when confronted by numerous and powerful interest groups. The assets test decision was made somewhat hastily and without extensive consultation, resulting in a major outcry from interest groups. The government reacted by setting in train a process of “consultation” and subsequently announced a series of concessions. Opposition continued and further modifications were made to the scheme, reducing considerably its impact and the proposed savings. Several lessons can be drawn. Governments must attempt to consult affected interests seriously in the process of formulating proposals and, if necessary, mobilise countervailing interests against a dominant coalition. Joint discussions can help to moderate sharp differences. The private, bureaucratic worlds of policy making, particularly in the budget cycle, must be opened up. Fundamental changes to the “culture” of policy making may be necessary, in particular greater efforts to encourage bipartisanship and to use Parliament constructively, if expenditure control and program reconstruction are to be a

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02442.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:Agenda management is a process in which governments attempt to prevent policy issues from emerging, to influence the public perception of issues and to shape or delete issues on the current agenda of policy making. Numerous techniques are available and governments may often resort to them for political purposes. Unemployment policy from 1976–82 provides a case study for assessing the significance of agenda management in the policy process. The many initiatives and announcements of the government and their presentation in the media are described. It is concluded that the government often appeared to employ agenda management techniques such as tokenism, symbolic reassurance, postponement and the selective presentation of social indicators. It is noted that the government's handling of the issue followed an annual cycle, superimposed on which was an electoral cycle. Its attempts to influence public perceptions of the issue had direct links with the nature of policy output

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02443.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:A crucial issue facing the public sector is the extent to which efficiency and effectiveness are elements in the concept of accountability to parliament and the people. This paper argues that the recent moves towardsefficiencyaudit in many countries, including Australia, need to be extended toeffectivenessaudit, and that to the extent that this does not occur, efficiency (and compliance) audit in the public sector is ineffective and accountability lacking.An examination of Australian public sector auditing is undertaken first, based on a discussion of the 1974–76 Royal Commission on Australian Government Administration, the 1977–82 Review of New South Wales Government Administration and the subsequent implementation of their recommendations as the means of clarifying and elucidating the definitions of compliance, efficiency and effectiveness audit, as well as a means of critically analysing Australian developments. Developments in public sector auditing in the United Kingdom and the United States of America are critically examined. Finally, the future prospects and problems facing public sector audit in Australia are reviewed, and policy options relating to the development of comprehensive audit are outli

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02444.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02445.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02446.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02447.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Book reviewed in this article:BruceMccallum,The Public Service Manager: An Introduction to Personnel Management in the Australian Public ServiceR. J. K. Chapmanand MichaelWood, Australian Local GovernmentKosmasTsokhas, A Class Apart? Businessmen and Australian Politics 1960–1980AndrewKakabadseand SureshMukhi(eds), The Future of Management EducationJonathanBoston, Incomes Policy in New Zealand: 1968–1984, Wellington, Victorian University Press for the Institute of Policy StudiesDavidDery, Problem Definition in Policy Anal

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02448.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0313-6647    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1985.tb02449.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1985

数据来源: WILEY