assessing and improving policy making practice

how the sausage is made

McKinnon has commissioned the ‘How the Sausage is Made’ series to examine policymaking practices in Australia. This series of reports will provide insights into patterns of the good and poor dimensions of policy development, to identify key barriers to delivering quality policy.

Supporting policymaking accountability

optimising SPI

The Statement of Public Interest (SPI) is a policymaking accountability mechanism introduced in the NSW Parliament in 2022 to help ensure a rigorous process of explanation, justification and consultation would apply to any government legislation.

MCKINNON PUBLIC SECTOR

Building a high-performing public sector

Building a high-performing public sector

The effectiveness of Australia’s public sector directly impacts our nation’s productivity and success. A robust and high-performing public sector is essential for translating policy decisions into tangible outcomes that benefit all Australians.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)

Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)

APO supports evidence-informed policy and decision-making by curating public policy and research published by organisations and making it accessible and useable.

APO is an essential part of Australia's policy ecosystem delivering the latest in policy and research to people working across government, industry, not-for-profits and research.

After 21 years at Swinburne University, APO joined McKinnon in 2024.

better public services

better public services

Our policy team is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of the public sector. We focus on better understanding the productivity of public services, developing frameworks to measure this productivity, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring transparency in how performance is assessed.

Enhanced Policy Quality

Enhanced Policy Quality

We support policymaking solutions that improve lives and strengthen trust in governments.

Our approach includes reviewing policies to identify best practices and opportunities for systemic improvement, advocating for the creation of new systems and processes to enhance policy quality, and collaborating with the policymaking ecosystem to boost capacity, capability, and quality.

CONTACT THE PUBLIC SECTOR TEAM

Whether you're interested in receiving regular insights, discussing one of our programs or joining our growing team, we’d love to hear from you

EXPLORE PUBLIC SECTOR INSIGHTS

public sector

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Supporting policymaking accountability by optimising Statements of Public Interest: Lessons learned report

McKinnon is working to achieve its vision that the Statement of Public Interest (SPI) creates pressure and accountability for rigorous and transparent legislative policymaking processes, which in turn results in better outcomes for citizens.

public sector

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Assessing and Improving Policymaking Practice: How the Sausage is Made

McKinnon has commissioned the ‘How the Sausage is Made’ series to examine policymaking practices in Australia.

public sector

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Ten lessons for public servants from Robodebt: New report

McKinnon partnered with the late Professor Emeritus Richard Mulgan to analyse the transcripts and findings of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme and identified key lessons to guide the behaviour of current and future public servants. 

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