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newDemocracyFoundation–MediaReleaseEmbargoeduntil6pm,Friday5thOctober2018

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MediaRelease:

Embargoeduntil6pm,Friday5thOctober2018

NewresearchshowsRightandLeftcanagreeongoodpolicymaking

IndependentresearchfundedbyaformerSecretaryoftheNSWTreasury(PercyAllan),EYandtheSusanMcKinnonFoundation,andundertakenbytwonormally‘opposed’thinktankshasfoundcommongroundonwhatisgoodpolicymakinginAustralia.Afterreviewingthefindings,theresearchproject’sSteeringCommittee-whichincludesASXcompanychairmanGlennBarnesandsocialservicesadvocates-calledonmajorpoliticalpartiestopubliclycommittoapplyingevidence-basedandinclusiveengagementprocesseswhenmakingmajorpolicydecisionsingovernment.ThenewDemocracyFoundation(nDF)researcheshowwecan‘dodemocracybetter’.Incommissioningtheproject,itsExecutiveDirector,IainWalker,commented:

“Evidence-basedpolicymakingisaphraseeveryonelikestousewithnoagreedstandardofwhatitactuallyis.Ifwecanhavepartiesagreesomebasicstandardsinthepolicyprocess,thenweareonestepclosertobeingabletomakemorewidelytrusteddecisionsatalllevelsofgovernment.”

TheresearchwasconductedbytheInstituteofPublicAffairs(IPA),aself-described‘free-market’thinktankidentifiedwiththeRightofpolitics,andPerCapitaAustralia,aself-labelled‘progressive’thinktankidentifiedwiththeLeft.Eachorganisationseparatelybenchmarkedthesame20federalandstategovernmentpoliciesagainsttenstepsthatgooddecisionmakingshouldfollowaccordingtoProfessorKennethWiltshireAO,theJ.D.StoryProfessorofPublicAdministrationattheUniversityofQueenslandBusinessSchool.TheWiltshirecriteriafocusongoodprocess,notresults,becausethenetfiscal,social,economicandenvironmentalimpactofapolicymaynotbeknownforalongtime.Thethinktankreports’findingsinvolvejudgementsonlyaboutprocess,notpolicy.Insixcasesthethinktanksratingssuggestasolidprocesshadbeenfollowedbythegovernmentsinvolved,ratherthanbeingreactiveandadhocasoftenperceivedbythepublic.Infourcasestheratingswerewellbelowpar.Inthebalanceofcasestheprocessqualitywasmixed.Therewasjointagreementthatthepoliciesthatcameclosesttobest-practicedecisionmakingprocesseswerelegalisingUberinQueensland,voluntaryassisteddyinglegislationinVictoria,criminaljusticereformsinNSWandaccesstomedicalcannabislegislationinVictoria.Theprojectsfundersofferedcommonreasonsforwantingtopursuetheproject:

“TheSusanMcKinnonFoundationbelievesthatbyimprovingtheprocessofdecisionmakingonAustralia’smostcriticalissueswecanimprovelong-termoutcomesforourcountry.Thisprojectisasteptowardsquantifyingandbenchmarkinggoodpolicyprocess.Itshinesalightonhowoftenourgovernmentsarefailingtoundertakecriticalstepsinarigorousevidence-basedandconsultative

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decision-makingprocess.WeneedgreateraccountabilityandtransparencyinourpolicysystemtodeliverbetteroutcomesforAustraliansandrestoretrustinourdemocracy.”ProfessorPercyAllanAM:“Governmentslosesupportbecauseofhalf-bakedpoliciesfoistedontoanunwittingpublicwhichprovokesabacklash.Amoreproductiveandpopularpathistotargetrealcommunityneedsthroughfact-gatheringandcitizen-inputwhencraftingapolicy.Thatremovestheelementofsurpriseandwinsconsensus.Goodpolicyprocessisalsogoodpolitics.”

Theresearchproject’sSteeringCommittee1notedthemainfindingsofthetwothinktankswere:

ExcellentProcess:

• VicVoluntaryAssistedDyingLaw2017(Averagerating9/10)• QldLegalisingRide-sharingApps(Averagerating9/10)

SoundProcess

• NSWCriminalJusticeReforms(Averagerating8.5/10)• VicAccesstoMedicalCannabisLaw2016(Averagerating8/10)

AcceptableProcess

• FedElectoralAmendmentAct2016(Averagerating7.5/10)• NSWGreyhoundRacingLaws2016&2017(Averagerating7.0/10)

UnacceptableProcess

• FedCreationof‘HomeAffairs’Dept.(Averagerating2.0/10)• FedMarriageLawPostalSurvey(Averagerating2.5/10)• NSWLocalCouncilMergers(Averagerating2.5/10)• QueenslandVegetationManagementLaws2018(Averagerating2.5/10)

Thethinktanks’yes/noscoresonthetenWiltshirecriteriawereremarkablysimilarin18ofthe20casestudies.ThissuggeststhatAustraliansmightagreeontheprocesstheywantgovernmentstofollowinmakingpoliciesespeciallywheretheyarecostlyorcontentious.Thetwocasestudieswithlessthan80%identicalscoringweretheFederalNationalEnergyGuaranteeandtheFederalMarriageLawPostalVote.However,eachthinktank’stotalratingforeachofthesecasestudieswassimilar,eventhoughtheirreasoningdiffered.Therewasclearagreementthattherewasmostscopeforimprovementingovernmentdecision-makingbyusingcost/benefitanalysis,designingarolloutplaninconjunctionwithapolicystatementandissuingaGreenPapertoelicitpublicfeedbackbeforeannouncingapolicydecisioninaWhitepaper.ProfessorWiltshirefromtheUniversityofQueensland,theauthoroftheproject’sbenchmarkingmethodologywhichwasoriginallycreatedin2012inconjunctionwiththeInstituteofPublicAdministrationAustralia(IPAA),added:

“My35yearsofresearchsuggestthatgoodpolicyprocessesresultinbetteroutcomesthandecisionsmadewithoutastrongevidencebaseandcloseconsultationwithstakeholders.”

SimonBreheny,DirectorofPolicyatTheInstituteofPublicAffairs(IPA)noted:

1Disclaimer:ProfessorPercyAllanexemptedhimselffromconsiderationoftheNSWlocalcouncilmergersandthegreyhoundracinglegislationcasestudiesbecauseofaprofessionalconflictofinterest.

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“TheInstituteofPublicAffairswasproudtoparticipateinthisprojectalongsidePerCapita.Inaneraofdecliningpublictrustinpoliticians,democracyandinstitutions,itisessentialnowmorethaneverthatpolicymakingisundertakeninathoroughandconsultativemanner.Goodpolicyprocess–fromactuallyundertakingcost-benefitanalysistohavingadetailedplanforhowapolicywillberolledout–isnotaleft-rightissue;itisanissueofbasiccompetency.”

“Whilevaluesandprinciplesareparamounttodecidewhatdirectionpolicymakingshouldtake,ifnotcombinedwithcarefulanalysisoftheproblemandgatheringofdisperseknowledge,outcomescanbedire.Wehavefoundthatfartoooftendecisionsarebeingmadeontheflywithoutproperprocess,andtheAustralianpeoplearesufferingtheconsequences.”

EmmaDawson,ExecutiveDirectorofPerCapitaAustraliastated:

“PerCapitawaspleasedtoparticipateintheproject,alongsidetheInstituteofPublicAffairs.Ourassessmentoftheselectedpoliciesagainsttheagreedcriteriarevealedtheimportanceoftakingarigorousandconsultativeapproachtopolicydevelopmentandimplementationatalllevelsofgovernment.“Whilenopolicyanalysiscanbecompletelyfreeofideologicalperspective,thisprojectdemonstratesthatthereareseveralelementsthatshouldbecommontoallwell-conceivedandimplementedpoliciesiftheyaretoefficientlyandeffectivelyservethepublicinterest.”

Aftertheendoftheembargoperiod,acopyofthismediastatementtogetherwithboththeIPAandPer

CapitareportscanbedownloadedfromthenewDemocracyFoundationwebsite:

https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/our-work/477-evidence-based-policy

Mediaenquiries:

ProfessorPercyAllanAM,Chair,EBPResearchProjectSteeringCommittee-Telephone:0298106346or

Mobile:0411727331orEmail:p.allan@bigpond.net.auSimonBreheny,DirectorofPolicy,InstituteofPublicAffairs(IPA)-Telephone:0396004744orMobile:

0400967382orEmail:SBreheny@ipa.org.auEmmaDawson,ExecutiveDirector,PerCapitaAustralia-Telephone:0383190192orMobile:0400372738

orEmail:e.dawson@percapita.org.auIainWalker,ExecutiveDirector,ThenewDemocracyFoundation,Tel:0412544116orMobile:0412544

116orEmail:iain.walker@newdemocracy.com.au

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Appendix1:FAQ

• HowcanIseethefullreport?ThecommonresearchmethodologyusedandtheseparatefindingsofeachthinktankaresummarisedinAppendix1-3ofthismediarelease.Thetwothinktankresearchreportscanbedownloadedathttps://www.newdemocracy.com.au/our-

work/477-evidence-based-policy

• WhataretheWiltshirecriteria?TheWiltshirecriteriacanbefoundinAppendix3.UsingthesecriteriathethinktankseachaskedthefollowingquestionsofeachpublicpolicytoscorethenumberofYesanswersoutapossible10:

1. Need

Isthereastatementofwhythepolicywasneededbasedonfactualevidenceandstakeholderinput?

2. Objectives

Isthereastatementofthepolicy’sobjectivescouchedintermsofthepublicinterest?

3. Options

Isthereadescriptionofthealternativepolicyoptionsconsideredbeforethepreferredonewasadopted?

4. Mechanisms

Isthereadisclosureofthealternativewaysconsideredforimplementingthechosenpolicy?

5. Analysis

Isthereapublishedanalysisofthepros/consandbenefits/costsofthealternativeoptions/mechanismsconsideredin3and4?

6. Pathway

Isthereevidencethatacomprehensiveprojectmanagementplanwasdesignedforthepolicy’srollout?

7. Consultation

Wastherefurtherconsultationwithaffectedstakeholdersafterthepreferredpolicywasannounced?

8. Papers

Wasthere(a)agreenpaperseekingpublicinputonpossiblepolicyoptionsand(b)awhitepaperexplainingthefinalpolicydecision?

9. Legislation

WastherelegislationandadequateParliamentarydebateontheproposedpolicyinitiative?

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10.Communication

Isthereanonlineofficialmediareleasethatexplainsthefinalpolicyinsimple,clearandfactualterms?Source:QuestionsderivedfromtheWiltshireten-pointcriteriaandapprovedbyProfessorKennethWiltshireAO.

• Wheredidthisprojectoriginate?Theresearchproject’sSteeringCommitteewasself-selectedfromanewDemocracyforumofover100opinionleadersheldinMelbourneandSydneyinthelastyear.Participantswereaskedtoworktogethertoanswerwhatcouldbetriedtorestoretrustinpublicdecisionmaking.Asimilarbenchmarkingstudy(confinedtothefederalgovernment)wasdonein2012bytheInstituteofPublicAdministrationAustralia(IPAA)whenProfessorAllanwasitsNationalPresident.ProfessorAllanproposedtothisforumthattheexerciseshouldberevivedonanannualbasisandextendedtostategovernments.

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Appendix2-SummaryofProjectFindings

ThinkTanks’DraftReportRatingScoreson20CaseStudies

GoodPracticesClearlyshowpublicneed

Statepublicinterestgoals

Reviewpolicyoptions

Reviewways&means

Docost-benefitanalysis

Designpolicy

rolloutplan

Furtherconsultstake-holders

Issuegreen/white

papers

Tablebill&debate

Clearlyrelayfinalpolicy

TotalYeses

ThinkTanks IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC

FED:ElectoralAmendmentAct

2016YY YY YY YY Y YY YY YY 7 8

FED:MarriageLawPostalSurvey

Y Y Y YY 3 2

FED:NationalEnergy

GuaranteeYY YY Y YY YY Y Y YY 7 6

FED:EnterpriseTaxPlan

(Companytaxcuts)

YY YY YY YY YY 5 5

FED:FutureSubmarineProgram

YY YY YY YY YY YY 6 6

FED:Abolition&and

Replacementofthe457Visa

YY YY YY YY YY 5 5

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GoodPracticesClearlyshowpublicneed

Statepublicinterestgoals

Reviewpolicyoptions

Reviewways&means

Docost-benefitanalysis

Designpolicy

rolloutplan

Furtherconsultstake-holders

Issuegreen/white

papers

Tablebill&debate

Clearlyrelayfinalpolicy

TotalYeses

ThinkTanks IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC

FED:BroadcastingReformLaw

2017

YY YY Y YY YY 5 4

FED:Creationof‘HomeAffairs’

Dept. YY YY 2 2

NSW:Fire&EmergencyServicesLevy

YY Y YY YY YY 5 4

NSW:CriminalJusticeReforms

YY YY YY YY YY YY Y YY YY 9 8

NSW:GreyhoundRacingLaws2016&2017

YY Y YY Y YY YY YY YY 7 7

NSW:LocalCouncilMergers

YY Y YY 3 2

VIC:VoluntaryAssistancee

DyingLaw2017YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY 9 9

VIC:AboriginalVictorians’

TreatyProcess

Y YY Y YY YY YY YY 5 7

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GoodPracticesClearlyshowpublicneed

Statepublicinterestgoals

Reviewpolicyoptions

Reviewways&means

Docost-benefitanalysis

Designpolicy

rolloutplan

Furtherconsultstake-holders

Issuegreen/white

papers

Tablebill&debate

Clearlyrelayfinalpolicy

TotalYeses

ThinkTanks IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC IPA PC

Law2018

VIC:AccesstoMedicinal

CannabisLaw2016

YY YY Y YY YY YY Y YY YY 7 9

VIC:ClimateChangeLaw

2017YY YY YY Y YY YY 5 6

QLD:LegalisingRide-Sharing

Apps(e.g.Uber)YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY YY 9 9

QLD:NorthQueenslandStadium

Y Y YY YY YY 3 5

QLD:TacklingAlcohol-FuelledViolenceLaw

Y YY YY Y YY YY 4 6

QLD:VegetationManagementLaws2018

Y YY YY 2 3

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Legend:Y=Yes,otherwiseNo.

IPA=InstituteofPublicAffairs

PC=PerCapita

Sources:

• IPA,EvidenceBasedPolicyResearchProject-20CaseStudies,AReportCommissionedbytheEvidence-BasedPolicyResearchProjectfacilitatedbythenewDemocracyFoundation,September2018(Principalauthor:MatthewLesh,ResearchFellow).

• PerCapita,EvidenceBasedPolicyAnalysis-20caseStudies,AReportCommissionedbytheEvidence-BasedPolicyResearchProjectfacilitatedbythenewDemocracyFoundation,September2018(Principalauthor,AbigailLewis,ResearchAssociate).

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Appendix3–TheWiltshireCriteria

BasedonanarticlefortheCommitteefortheEconomicDevelopmentofAustralia(CEDA)byProfessorKennethWiltshireAOoftheUniversityofQueenslandBusinessSchool,theessentailelementsinvolvedindevelopingabusinensscaseinapublicpolicycontextcanbestatedasfollows:

Source:InstituteofPublicAdministrationAustralia(IPAA),PublicPolicyDrift-Whygovernmentsmustreplace‘policyontherun’and‘policybyfiat’witha‘businesscase’approachtoregainpublicconfidence,April2012,pageviii.

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Appendix4–ProjectAcknowledgements

ProjectSponsor:IainWalker,ExecutiveDirector,newDemocracyFoundation.ProjectSteeringCommittee:ProfessorPercyAllanAM,ChairoftheSteeringCommittee.iGlennBarnes,ChairmanofAnsellLimitedandNon-ExecutiveDirectoroftheSydneyChildren’sHospital

Foundation.PeterDoukas,ChairoftheEthnicCommunities’CouncilofNSWandManagingDirectoroflawfirmDenison

Toyer.VerityFirth,ExecutiveDirectorofSocialJusticefortheCentreforSocialJusticeandInclusion,Universityof

TechnologySydney(UTS).JaniceLee,Director,InfrastructureAdvisory,EYwhoreplacedPeterCrone,ChiefEconomist,EYafterhe

becamePrincipalAdvisertotheAustralianTreasurer.SamMellett,DirectoroftheSusanMcKinnonFoundationwhichsponsorsresearchintoboldnewsolutions

toentrenchedproblems.KirstyNowlan,ExecutiveDirectorofStrategicEngagement,Research,andAdvocacyattheBenevolent

Society.ProjectEditorialPanel:DrKennethWiltshireAO,J.D.StoryProfessorofPublicAdministrationattheUniversityofQueenslandand

authorofseveralbooksonpublicadministration.PercyAllanAM,Principal,PercyAllan&AssociatesPtyLtd,apublicpolicyconsultancy,andVisiting

Professor,MacquarieGraduateSchoolofManagement.iiMartinStewart-Weeks,Principal,PublicPurpose,anindependentadvisorypracticeworkingatthe

intersectionofgovernment,policy,technologyandinnovation.FinancialSponsorsEY:https://www.ey.com/au/en/services/advisorySusanMcKinnonFoundation:http://www.susanmckinnon.org.au/PercyAllanAM:http://www.percyallan.com.au/IndependentThinkTanksEmmaDawson,ExecutiveDirectorandAbigailLewis,ResearchAssociate,PerCapitaAustralia,aprogressive

thinktank.

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SimonBreheny,DirectorofPolicyandMatthewLesh,ResearchFellow,InstituteofPublicAffairsAustralia(IPA),afree-marketthinktank.

OtherThanksProfessorPeterShergoldAC,NationalPresident,InstituteofPublicAdministrationAustraliaforpermittingreproductionofchartsfromtheIPAApublicationPublicPolicyDrift,2012.iDisclaimer:ProfessorPercyAllanexemptedhimselffromconsiderationoftheNSWlocalcouncilmergersandthegreyhoundracingbancasestudiesduetoaprofessionalconflictofinterest.iiDisclaimer:ProfessorPercyAllanbecauseofaprofessionalconflictofinterestexemptedhimselffromconsiderationoftheNSWlocalcouncilmergersandthegreyhoundracingbancasestudies.