Introduction

This chapter introduces the Australian contribution to the International Library of Policy Analysis series (Policy Press) edited by Michael Howlett and Iris Geva-May. Policy analysis in Australia provides a broad range of perspectives on the location, scope, challenges and quality of policy analysis in Australia. It accounts for the diverse sources of policy analysis and advice, both within and outside government, and the diverse institutional settings in which analysis and decision-making are undertaken. Unlike books that critically assess Australian policy development and policy outcomes in different fields (eg social, economic or environmental policy), this volume focuses on the nature and quality of the various organisational processes and locations for the production and distribution of policy ideas and policy analysis. It considers the policy capacities of the various organisations and forums in which policy development, deliberation and review are undertaken. In a variety of circumstances, both within and beyond government, policy analysis is treated as the ‘application of intellect to public problems’ (Pal, 2006, p 14).

This chapter provides an overview of the various contexts for ‘policy advising’ and policy capacity within and beyond government in Australia. We discuss some of the key forms of policy analysis, in both academic and practitioner contexts. We distinguish a number of broad approaches to the academic study of policy, recognising that much scholarly work is directed towards education rather than towards policy practitioners and debates about policy options. We also identify the main themes covered by the expert contributors to later chapters of Policy analysis in Australia. These themes include: the evolving challenges for policy-advising and policy inquiry processes within the public sector (at three levels within the federation); the diversification of sources of advice, including the growing role of ministerial advisors, consultants, think tanks and media-enabled channels of opinion; the strengths and weaknesses of parties, trade unions, business associations and community organisations in developing and disseminating policy advice; and the role of scholarly research and teaching within these broad policy processes.

Explaining policy and policy analysis

Policy analysis techniques

The provision of ‘policy advice’ is common to all systems of government, but the nature of advisory systems is highly variable and depends on several political and institutional factors (Craft and Howlett, 2013).