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Centre for Policy DevelopmentPublic Service Research Program: 'Big Society' & Other Progressive Research
Christopher StoneNovember 2012
13 April 2023 Centre for Policy Development 2
CPD – Public Sector Research Program
http://cpd.org.au
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The State of the Australian Public Service:An Alternative Report
• Not “bloated”• Increasingly top-heavy• Some lack of diversity• Public attitudes:–Most willing to forego income for
services–Strong preference for public over
private provision
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Other Research
• Efficiency dividend and alternatives• Real lessons from the Building
Education Revolution Program• The value of VET and TAFE
(upcoming)
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What is Big Society?
• Manifesto of UK PM David Cameron, based ideas of Phillip Blond
• Rhetoric:–More services –Diversity of service providers – Localism fostered– Communities supported– Accountability– Encourage volunteerism – Leverage philanthropy
& social investment
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Big Society Ideas in Australia• Concepts aren’t new, “packaging”
with community rhetoric is• Tony Abbott using Big Society style
rhetoric• Philip Blond in Australia
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Rhetoric and Reality
• More services • Diversity of service providers • Localism fostered• Communities supported• Accountability• Encourage volunteerism • Leverage philanthropy
& social investment
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Public Sector Cuts in the UK
Public sector spendingWelfare
Legal aidCommunities
departmentNew public housing
Higher educationLocal government
PoliceAverage government
agencyLocal government staff
Public sector employees
£81 billion£7 billion£350 million66%60%40%27%20%19%10-20%240,000 (2011)
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Community Sector Impacts
• £5 billion funding cut to sector (2012-2014)
• 2,000 charities affected by £110 million cut in 2011
• Community sector employment fell by 70,000 (9%)
• Impacts on NFP working conditions• Silencing or diminishing of NFP’s
advocacy role• Large NFP ‘crowding out’ smaller
ones
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Corporate Scandals
• Southern Cross aged care: £600 million profit before collapsed leaving 30,000 people at risk
• A4e: fraud inquiry, targets not met, chair paid £8 million
• G4S: promised 12,000 Olympic security guards, provided 7,000, army called in
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Further Research
• Social investment continues to be problematic
• Growth of “mutuals” continues to be slow
• Cuts continue: civil service smaller by 64,000 (12%)
• Local councils cancelling or outsourcing numerous services
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Likely Effects in Australia
• There are differences between Australia and the UK:–Federal system–% government spending–Government debt
• Outsourcing• Pressure on
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Alternate View of Community and Public Sector• Relationship essential, but not always
harmonious• Recognise inherent strengths and
weaknesses of sectors• Strong state necessary, does not
preclude strong private and community sectors
• Volunteerism should be valued, not expected to fill the gap.