Citizen Services

Attempts to make core public services such as health and education meet the needs of a changing society are being held back by our flawed policy processes. We need from top-down, short-term ad-hoc ‘reforms’ to long-term, systemic renewal based on consistent principles, widespread citizen participation and a realistic understanding of how we live now.

The Centre for Policy Development’s ‘Citizen Services’ program provides a platform for our fellows and others to develop ideas for better public services, based on the principle of equality of access to quality services.

Thinking Points on Citizen Services

August 4, 2010
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Health Care Affordability Needs A Makeover

There’s a big difference between having a bad hair day and getting sick, writes Jennifer Doggett, and that’s why we need more action on health care affordability more…

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Citizen Services
July 23, 2010
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Money For Parents — Or Education?

Are education rebates the best way to cut the cost of living for families and make inroads into the education budget? Ben Spies-Butcher weighs it up more…

Citizen Services
July 21, 2009
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Closing the gap. Why not focus on what works?

Eva Cox argues that focusing on what works will help ‘close the gap’ and create better policy for Indigenous Australians more…

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Citizen Services

Publications on Citizen Services

Reforming Australia’s hidden welfare state: Tax expenditures as welfare for the rich

As Australia heads into a recession and our budget heads into deficit, one of Australia’s least fair and least effective forms of public investment is still growing like topsy. In this paper for the Centre for Policy Development Dr Ben Spies-Butcher and Adam Stebbing uncover Australia’s hidden welfare state. Using the superannuation tax concessions as a case study, they explore options for transforming tax expenditures to make Commonwealth spending fairer and more transparent. more…

Who bears the risk?

It's October 2007, and Newcastle has just been hit by another massive storm. As the flood waters recede, politicians from all sides line up to give their condolences – but in a break from tradition, they fail to announce any financial assistance for the flood victims. "Natural disasters are a part of life" says Prime Minister Howard, "we expect responsible families to plan ahead for this kind of thing". Premier Iemma echoes the sentiment: "the state government can't be expected to foot the bill for every act of god".

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A New Approach to Primary Care for Australia

The best way to take the pressure off hospitals is to ensure that most people don’t need to go there in the first place. In this new paper Jennifer Doggett explains how we can reorient Australia’s health system towards primary and preventative care. more…