For 40 years IPAA has provided its members with a safe and collegial environment for debate and discussion as an independent, apolitical, non-partisan national organisation for the betterment of public administration in Australia.

This book is a thought leadership piece, intended to encourage debate and discussion in the workplace around excellence in public administration in Australia.

The key message of this report is that the public sector must become a leader and enabler of innovation in Australia, constituting as it does about 35% of GDP with a pervasive role in our economy and society.

The public policy making process in Australia is adrift, notwithstanding regular affirmations by governments at all levels to an evidence and consultation-based approach. Accepted good policy making criteria are well known but an analysis of 18 recent major policies has shown that too few adequately...