Abstract
Classic post-war ‘nation-building’ project proposals were generally subjected to detailed analysis. Selected Australian case studies reveal a contrasting, post-truth approach to evaluation in more recent times, with governments ignoring or avoiding professional expertise when promoting their favoured projects and policies. A lack of formal standards for economic evaluation in Australia, such as those promulgated by Congress and presidents in the US, are a partial explanation. A concomitant hollowing-out of public service expertise in economic analysis has also occurred. In particular, public-sector agencies have lost much of their capability to properly understand and assess evaluations carried out on their behalf by commercial consultants. An effective antidote to the post-truth approach in evaluation would be the production and publication of analyses for all major government policy and project proposals, as well as the development of a standardised analytical framework and training for public servants.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Hybrid Public Policy Innovations |
Subtitle of host publication | Contemporary Policy Beyond Ideology |
Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
Pages | 83-96 |
Number of pages | 14 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781351245944 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780815371809 |
Publication status | Published - 12 Mar 2018 |