After years of hearing about what governments can’t do, shouldn’t do, or will inevitably stuff up if they try, it’s time to recapture a vision of the positive role of government, and put forward an agenda for public sector reform in the 21st century. At the heart of this vision should be a public service that works in cooperation with citizens to build a fair, sustainable and democratic society.

The CPD Public Service Program aims to develop a robust knowledge base about the state of the public service: its funding and capacity; performance in delivering community services; and attitudes toward and expectations of the Australian Public Service. Click here to read more.

CPD thanks the CPSU, the Becher Foundation and Slater & Gordon for their support of this program.

Communities in Control 2012 Conference | Melbourne, May 28-29

Communities in Control is Australia’s biggest and best annual gathering of community sector workers, volunteers and supporters – each year bringing together a stellar list of speakers and hundreds of people who work in or care about community to listen, debate, network, exchange strategies, and recharge. Click here for program details and registration. CPD’s James Whelan will present a keynote on ‘Big Society’.

Public Service research presentations

View summarised presentations of CPD’s public service research here. Big Society and Australia: How the UK Government is dismantling the state and what it means for Australia This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the UK’s ‘Big Society’ policies and programs and examines their potential impact if adopted and implemented in Australia. It seeks to contribute to an informed debate about the merits of ‘small government’ ideologies and policies that often receive less than critical … more

Christopher Stone | Thinking ahead: a budget for more than this year

In his article on ABC’s The Drum, CPD researcher Chris Stone suggests a different way of thinking about the budget, and  makes important predictions about budget night media and political commentary which he claims is driving a serious and repeated problem: “A national economy is a lot more like the Titanic than a speedboat; significant changes in direction take a long time. This means that if we think there’s an economic iceberg 30 years ahead, the … more

 

Essential Vision | Should We Fear a Big Society?

CPD’s recently released report, Big Society: How the UK Government is Dismantling the State and What it Means for Australia outlined the ways in which David Cameron’s Big Society policy has crippled certain state funded services in the UK. The policy has become a household term in the UK, and is debated and criticised among many in mainstream media, yet here in Australia the phrase is little heard of. CPD executive director Miriam Lyons warns of the … more

Chris Bonnor & Jane Caro | Chance to put money where it will make a difference

In light of the Gonski Report, Chris Bonnor  and Jane Caro discuss some of the report’s findings and recommendations and the state of the education system in Australia today. “If someone had predicted 30 years ago that education funding and policy decisions made then would lead to an Australia where even Labor politicians felt that they had to pay a lot of money to get a decent education for their children, they would not have … more

 

Chris Bonnor | Gonski’s In. It’s Time To Act

There’s remarkable consensus that the Gonski recommendations are spot on. The danger? That Labor will stall too long before implementing them, writes Chris Bonnor. I’m reliably informed that whenever you talk to Labor politicians about school funding they start to twitch, and mumble “Mark Latham hit list”. Helped along by numerous commentators they are spooked by the 2004 election and the policy to cut private school funding. Regardless of any serious analysis of that election, … more

Melissa Sweet | Gonski review has a lot to teach the health system: Consumers Health Forum

Melissa Sweet considers the recommendations of the Gonski Report in terms of current approached to, and funding of, healthcare. She sites a statement made by Carol Bennett, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, who highlights the aspects of the report which are relevant to Australia’s current healthcare crisis. “The cry of “nanny state” is often used to oppose public health measures that are in the public interest but threaten powerful private interests. Perhaps the cry … more

Ian McAuley | Means testing passes but do we even need health insurance?

Ian McAuley discusses the real value of private health insurance and the possibility of a fairer health care system. Read the full article published by The Conversation here “When the government finally succeeded in its third attempt to remove the 30% subsidy for high-income earners holding private health insurance, the opposition’s response was a promise to restore it should the coalition be voted into office. Tony Abbott said the rebate “is an article of faith for the Coalition. Private health … more