Value-adding policy analysis and advice: new roles and skills for the public sector

Abstract

High-quality policy analysis and advice is critical to good governance. Teaching public policy for the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) provides a welcome opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities for the public sector advisory system with experienced practitioners from Australia and New Zealand. Public sector advisers in many jurisdictions recognize the existence of competition for these services from others, leading to some reflection on the comparative advantage the public sector can bring to its role (Bardach, 2000; Weimer and Vining, 1999; Radin, 2000).