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Identifying and implementing high-impact innovations that enhance productivity in the non-market sector—ensuring better outcomes for taxpayers, service users, and communities.
We use research insights as a basis for government engagement and a platform for influencing strategic service delivery. McKinnon is building a practical and accessible evidence base through case studies of approaches that change the way non-market human services are delivered.
Australia's federal system of government offers many benefits, including the ability for state governments to innovate and trial new approaches to policy and service delivery without waiting for a national consensus on reform. Such innovations abound, and deliver great benefits across the country in critical areas such as education, health, public safety and beyond.
However, our federal institutions do not include a dedicated mechanism for identifying states' innovative practices and assisting others to learn from, adapt and implement changes. Australians in other states risk missing out on important reforms that can improve lives and livelihoods.
McKinnon is exploring the role for a Centre for Comparative Federalism to fill this gap. We are piloting the concept by working with leading states to identify and document good practices, and with willing states to spread these innovations to their jurisdiction. Our initial focus is on healthcare innovations, in public hospital environments.
Public servants who manage frontline services need to be empowered and incentivised to deliver better outcomes.
Detailed studies of successful frontline productivity reform are rare, but essential for understanding how the effectiveness and efficiency of public services can be improved. Our past work on frontline productivity provides practical insight into what works:
Lessons from John Morony Correctional Centre: A NSW Success Story >
Productivity, Control and Performance: Lessons from NSW Health Pathology >
Public servants who manage frontline services need to be empowered and incentivised to deliver better outcomes.
The Training the Frontline project focused on driving excellence in service delivery by improving the way we design and deliver tertiary training for crucial frontline public sector workforces. It found that simulation-based training is a powerful tool for enhancing education, improving student skills, confidence, and preparedness for practice.
These reports provide a synthesis of the global evidence-base and the sector-specific opportunities and barriers to the adoption of simulation training in Australia.
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leadership
The quality of Australia’s political leadership directly impacts our nation’s ability to address complex challenges and seize opportunities. That is why we invest in building and celebrating exceptional Leaders.
DEMOCRACY
A resilient and vibrant democracy requires constant vigilance and renewal. Supporting and strengthening our democratic foundations has become critical for Australia’s future.
POLICY INNOVATION
Australia faces specific challenges that require fresh thinking and proven solutions. From education inequality to economic productivity, we need policy approaches that work - not in theory, but in practice.