The Rogue Minister and Sydney’s Adoption of Aerial Patrols

Abstract

This chapter reviews the New South Wales government’s adoption of aerial patrols as the third case study. I investigate a change in policy made by then Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, to fund the reintroduction of airplane and helicopter patrols at local Sydney beaches following a series of high-profile shark bite incidents, including one at Bondi beach and in Sydney Harbour. I suggest that Minister Macdonald located himself in the solution-making process as the policy entrepreneur to save himself politically. Through a narrative of public fear, the policy was adopted