Reasserting the public interest from Australians' kitchen tables

The “business as usual” lobbies are co-ordinated, cashed up and have a highly sophisticated mechanism to spring into action whenever a whiff of reform is in the air, writes Emeritus Professor Robert Douglas from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at Australian National University in this piece from The Conversation.

Looking at "kitchen table" initiatives from the past and present, he asks whether Australia needs a new non-government structure to coordinate debate and act on a range of pressing issues in the public interest.

AdvocacyPower to Persuade26 August 2014communication

Social Policy Whisperer: Which way out? The Abbott Government's social policy alternatives

Prof Paul Smyth examines the similarities between the Australian Government's approach to social policy and the UK's Big Society agenda and warns that rather than emulate this unsuccessful approach to social investment we should be adopting alternatives such as Inclusive Growth.

Throw the glitter in the air: The power and importance of disability advocacy

Graeme Innes is the former Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission and is now Chair of the Attitude Foundation which works to change attitudes to people with disabilities. Graeme delivered the following Keynote Speech at the Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference in Melbourne on 4 August 2014. In it he talks about the importance of value of advocacy at a time when the right and the capacity of individuals and organisations to advocate for themselves and others is being challenged by governments.

Power to Persuade19 August 2014

THE BULK DEBT PROJECT - Achieving institutional policy change for Centerlink recipients

This innovative advocacy project, documented here by one of the project initiators Denis Nelthorpe of Footscray Community Legal Centre, demonstrates how strategic and collective organization of individual casework can bring about systemic change in the culture of corporate institutions and lay the groundwork for regulatory reforms.

Wither 'welfare'? Reflecting on the proposed changes to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

The Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW) provides a critical evidence base and statistical analysis of the Australian population, helping to develop policy and strategies for the state and federal governments. In the recent budget, AIHW was ear-marked for merger into a new super agency the 'Health Productivity and Performance Commission' (along with Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Independent Hospitals Pricing Authority, National Health Funding Body, National Health Funding Pool Administrator and National Health Performance Authority). While details are scant, the absence of 'welfare' from the title of this governing body and inclusion of 'productivity' is ominous.

Finance and economics, Advocacy, IssuesDr. Gemma Carey13 August 2014communication, government budget, social welfare

Providing better pathways for vulnerable women: a gendered analysis of welfare reform

The McClure interim report raises many questions about the structure and adequacy of Australia’s welfare system. It highlights that single parents, carers and people with disability have lower levels of employment than others in the community, and that the income support and welfare systems need to reflect the needs and challenges of these groups.

What is not explicit is the gendered nature of this problem. Dr Rhonda Cumberland, CEO of Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, reflects that by ignoring gender, the review neglects some of the preventable costs that can be reduced in the Australian welfare system.

Creating using evidence, IssuesPower to Persuade12 August 2014research, gender, social welfare

A louder voice, not a harsher one: Q and A with David Hayward

David Hayward from RMIT University answers some questions about how to influence policy, the use of research, and the importance of understanding the process.

AdvocacyPower to Persuade11 August 2014communication

Taming the monster: can the third sector distinguish its unique contribution?

In response to a recent speech by Tony Nicholson, several weeks ago Associate Professor Helen Dickinson (@drhdickinson) argued that 'we need to be clear about the specific strengths and skills of the sector' in any discussion about its future and funding. In a followup post, Dr James Rees (@JamesRees_tsrc) from the Third Sector Research Centre examines why and in what ways third sector organisations offer something distinctive. This is the first of three blog posts from James which tackle this issue

Policy and governancePower to Persuade8 August 2014community sector

Mental Health and the prison system: a policy concern

Mental health care is a significant policy challenge facing our prison systems in Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 3 people entering prison have a diagnosed mental illness; almost 2.5 times the rate of the general population. There is growing concern that people with an untreated mental illness are more likely to be imprisoned due to a lack of community-based care. There is also concern about the lack of quality of mental health care in prisons, and its implications for those making the transition back into the community. In this article, Stephen Hall, Leader Mission and Service, Baptistcare WA, outlines the need for better mental health services for the prison population. While the focus is on Western Australia, the issues raised here will resonate nationally, and internationally.

This article originally appeared on Stephen Hall's professional blog.

IssuesPower to Persuade6 August 2014prisons

Homelessness research and the influence of targeted policy

Is it more effective to target interventions at those most in need? Or should we 'act universally', addressing the basic welfare of all? When it comes to addressing the causes of inequality, there is growing evidence to suggest that universal approaches are more effective. Despite this, policymakers find a continuing appeal in targeted social programs, reserving social services for the most disadvantaged groups in society. In taking this road, are policymakers failing to address the root causes of disadvantage? In light of Homeless Persons' Week, Dr Pauline McLoughlin (@PJ_McLoughlin), from RMIT University, and Dr Gemma Carey (@gemcarey) from ANU explore how homelessness research in Australia must grapple with a strong current of highly targeted policy.

Twitter and blogs reflect underlying passion of academic research

The role of the academic humanist has always been a public one – however mediated through teaching and publication, argues Tim Hitchcock. As a central means to participate in public conversations, Twitter and blogging just make good academic sense. Hitchcock looks at how these new platforms are facilitating academic collaboration, teaching and public engagement. What starts as a blog, ends as an academic output, and an output with a ready-made audience, eager to cite it.

Creating using evidence, AdvocacyPower to Persuade4 August 2014research, communication

Social Policy Whisperer: Andrew Forrest and the Government's welfare nightmare

Years of research neglect have left the Abbott government ill prepared for the challenge of welfare reform. Its first budget disaster arose precisely because it did not understand the post financial crisis policy context. Its calls for economic heavy lifting have not been matched by distributional fairness. Having experienced a period of economic reform when the benefits went disproportionately to the rich, people now simply wont buy an economic reform program which is not also socially inclusive. The question is can the government learn quickly enough on the job to get its social policy agenda on track before the next election?

Keeping it civil - difference, tradition and morality in policy conversations

One of the tasks we set ourselves at PTP was articulating the value each of us sees, from our own sectoral vantage points, of creating a space to talk about policy processes. Today, Dr Kathy Landvogt shares her views on working on process (not just issue or topic) and how PTP has extended the work of her team, while strengthening their original mandate.

AdvocacyDr. Kathy Landvogt30 July 2014communication

Targets: dammed if you do, dammed if you don't

Part Two of Professor Christina Boswell's (from the University of Edinburgh) thoughts on the use of targets in public policy. A no win situation?

Collaboration is subversive

Geoff Aigner is the director of Social Leadership Australia (@leadership_SLA). As part of the Benevolent Society Social Leadership Australia draws on best practice leadership thinking and techniques with social insights. You can check out their highly regarded leadership program here.

Politics: boundless win-wins?

Last night, when accepting the John Button Prize, David Marr gave a truly engaging talk on the many faces and facets of Tony Abbott. He eloquently drew out Abbott's (anti)freedom agenda, highlighting discontent on both the left and right of politics with the current state of affairs. Surrounded by "latte sipping lefties", Marr's analysis fell on appreciative ears (my own included). I would be highly surprised if the room contained a single conservative. Upon reflection, I can't help but wonder whether we on the Left are limiting ourselves and our ability to change current politics by lowering ourselves to the 'us versus them' approach. Below, Professor Evelyne De Leeuw (@evelynedeleeuw) challenges us to go beyond oppositional politics for the greater good.

Policy and governancePower to Persuade24 July 2014politics and democracy

Targets in Public Policy: Disciplining or Signaling?

Targets are a popular tool in public policy, held up as a way to promote integration and accountability. Below, Professor Christina Boswell looks at how effective they really are. You can check out her full report here.

Science and the perils of the press release: who is to blame?

Researchers often bemoan the beatups in the media about their work, yet a recent UK study shows that many university press releases exaggerate or hype research findings or made them more determinist. UK scientist and blogger Alasdair Taylor looks at the risks of "churnalism" and asks in the wake of a recent conference: can scientists themselves offer the needed reflection on their research that an investigative journalist might do?

Creating using evidence, AdvocacyPower to Persuade17 July 2014research, media

Practitioners in the 'art of government' what do policy makers, politicians, lobbyists say about the policy process?

Researchers Dr Gemma Carey (@gemcarey) and Brad Crammond have interviewed a range of politicians, senior past and present bureaucrats, government advisors and lobbyists to find ways to break down barriers between sectors, close research practice gaps and create policy change. Their report was released this week at a research forum hosted by the national Social Determinants of Health Alliance (SDOHA).

Achieving social change: burning platform, compelling narrative, agitators, friends & solutions

Julia Unwin, CEO of the United Kingdom's Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) visited Australia in May 2014 as a guest of the Reichstein Foundation. For the trip, she released a discussion paper on Poverty inequality and a modern social contract relevant for a changing world. We thank her for permission to publish this excerpt from the paper, titled: Achieving social change.

AdvocacyMarie McInerney14 July 2014communication

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