An Introduction to Public Policy

• The definition of public policy 
• Australian system of Government and role of key institutions (eg Westminster system of responsible government, constitution, role of executive/judiciary/parliament, tenets of public service within this.)
• Business of government, ministers and their role in public policy 
• The political and social environment in which policy is made

The Process 

• Key Stages in the Policy and Program Cycle: Tools and frameworks of public policy (The Australian Policy Cycle)
• Understanding roles and responsibilities
• The Federal System of Government in Australia and how it impacts policy
• Contestability in policy advice (eg role of outside actors in policy)

Designing Effective Policy

• Policy Instruments – how governments achieve their objectives
• Principles of good policy design
• Understand how to identify suitable instruments
• Discussing the key challenges and strategies to overcome them
• Forces and events that impact policy development

An Overview of the Tools Used in Policy Development 

• Regulatory Impact Assessment 
•  Cost Benefit Analysis 
•  Intervention Logic 

• Group discussion – what are some wicked policy problems facing Australia? 
• How to Define and Assess Policy Issues 
• Discussing when government intervention is called for 
• How to define the problem and establishing a vision 

• Group activity in breakout rooms  - responding to key wicked policy problems facing Australia
• Challenges in Using Evidence for Australian Policymakers
• Critiquing Data and Evidence
• Navigating Challenges in Evidence-Based Policymaking
• Newer forms of assessment and public policy

• Communicating and Employing Data and Evidence Effectively 
• Principles and Practices in Communicating Data and Evidence 
• Strategies for Effective Communication in Policy and Program Design and presenting to decision-makers 
• Real-world Examples of Successful and Unsuccessful Communication of Data and Evidence

Stakeholder groups, Public Participation and Policymaking 

• Importance of Stakeholder Groups and Public Engagement in Australian Policy
• Working with First Nations groups
• Newer forms of engagement
• Case Study on Unsuccessful  Robodebt Royal Commission report (Breakout group discussion, following by report back)
• Strategies for Inclusive Policymaking
• Leadership skills and mindsets needed for good policy advice
• Resources for further information