Delivering Effective Policy
Explore the landscape and tools of public policy development
This Masterclass explores the landscape and tools of public policy development – the formal and informal structures of policy making, and how policy officers can navigate these structures and thrive in their role in the policy development process. With a mix of theory and practical real-world insights, you will learn the mechanics and nuances of public policy and understand the various forces impacting policy development as well as amplify your skills base for effective policy development. It will you with the tools to enjoy and thrive in such an environment and play a future leading role in public administration. It is focused on improving your policy development capacity and understanding, and equips you with three key learning outcomes:
- A greater knowledge of the structures and the environment that impact policy development.
- An increased technical understanding of the tools and mechanics of good policy analysis, development, and implementation.
- Understanding of the leadership skills required to drive good policy development and provision of tools, and techniques you can apply to engage and manage stakeholders
Learn how to:
Hone and improve your capacity to deliver quality policy advice
Ensure policy proposals are backed up by evidence
Understand and balance short and longer-term demands and policy needs
Build your skills, tools, processes, and knowledge in the design and delivery of policy
Fit all the pieces together for the effective delivery of policy
Articulate a clear vision with a focus on outcomes
Familiarise yourself with newer methods of assessment such as user-centred design, behavioural insights, and data analytics (as well as AI)
Manage stakeholder engagement and decision-making
Learn how to balance control and flexibility to deal with uncertainty
Learning how policy failures can offer insights
Aaron Johnstone
Founder & Director, Interact Policy & Industry Solutions
Aaron Johnstone is Founder & Director of INTERACT Policy and Industry Solutions, a policy consultancy supporting greater collaboration between government and industry.
Arron Johnston
aron Johnstone is Founder & Director of INTERACT Policy and Industry Solutions, a policy consultancy supporting greater collaboration between government and industry. In 2023, Aaron established INTERACT to support interaction between industry and government for better public policy.
Aaron has nearly 30 years’ experience in public policy and industry advocacy. He began his career in Canberra as a Graduate in the Australian Government in 1995, and his public sector experience in Australia and the UK has included a variety of roles, such as:
- Education and training policy reform in various national and state government bodies in Queensland and Victoria
- Communication strategies for Westminster City Council in central London
- Strategic political and policy advice as a Ministerial Adviser for the Hon Anna Bligh MP in her time in the Beattie State Government Cabinet.
Between 2007 and 2023, Aaron held leadership and public policy roles with key national industry bodies, including the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA). These roles entailed working closely with industry and government leaders in shaping policy and responding to key challenges, including:
- Developing and advancing industry positions and policy in areas such as heavy vehicle regulation, health and safety, natural resources, environmental regulation, planning, and infrastructure
- Managing joint industry-government research projects
- Undertaking industry surveys and presenting results to government and sector representatives
- Facilitating and managing of member engagement activities, conferences, and gala industry events
He has a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History (University of QLD) and an Executive Master of Public Administration (University of Melbourne/ANZSOG).
Who will attend?
This course will be of value to all involved in planning for & producing policy. It is designed for public servants who are new to policy or have some policy experience. It is tailored to facilitate deeper learning and support policy offers/managers to learn or enhance their knowledge of the mechanics and nuances of public policy and to understand the various forces impacting on policy development. It is also appropriate for those in private and non-government sectors who work closely with government on policy and delivery issues such as lobby or industry groups.
Content is relevant for job titles/ functions such as:
- Policy Officers/Managers/Analysts/Advisors
- Senior Policy
- Senior Managers who work with policy
- Policy Practitioners in service divisions
- Policy Units/teams
- Government Relations
- Planning Managers
- Cabinet office team members who manage ministerial briefings
- Secretariat branches and offices
- Program/Project or Governance roles who wish to deepen understanding
- Elected Members / Councillors in Local Government
- Staff who aspire to work in a policy role, but currently don’t
Agenda
Masterclass content designed by the facilitator is cogniscant of and informed by the Australian Policy Handbook as well as the facilitator’s lived experience working in policy development
All times shown are in AEDT
Acknowledgement of Country & welcoming remarks
Introductory group discussion
- Why is policy an exciting field to be involved with?
- What are some of the challenges and difficulties in policy development?
The Formal Structures of Government & policy making
- ‘Westminster System of Responsible Government’ & how the system has historically evolved in Australia
- The roles of Cabinet, Public Service, central agencies, Parliament
Morning Tea
The Formal Structures of Government & policy making (continued)
- High Court and the Constitution
- Australia’s federal system
- Political parties
Lunch Break
The Less Formal Structures of Government & Policy Making
- Media
- Stakeholder groups
- Trade unions
- Party factions
- Recent and historical case studies highlighting the role and influence of such structures
Afternoon Tea
Leadership skills for Policy Development: the Current Environment, Ethics & Leading for Policy Development
- The features of the current social environment for policy making
- How do these features impact on policy making?
- What are some ethical considerations in policy making? How to respond to real world experiences in policy making?
- Leadership skills for managing and driving policy change
Closing remarks
Recap of Day One
The mechanics of policy development – policy instruments
- Description and examples of types of Policy Instruments
- Good policy advice relies on choosing the right mix of instruments for the problem at hand
- Discussion on pros and cons of each
Morning Tea
Process & cycles for policy development
- The Australian Policy Cycle
- Common stages in policy development and analysis
- Discussion on utility and practicality of these approaches
- Involvement of other professionals and interested parties
- Examples of forces and events that impact on policy processes?
- Newer methods of assessment (eg user-centered design, behavioral insights, and data analytics, AI)
- Stakeholder engagement and decision-making
Lunch
Group exercise – Applying tools to real-life examples
- Break into subgroups to consider case study of current policy issue and report back and possible approach, drawing on policy instruments and Bardach eight step process
Afternoon tea
Facilitated discussion session
- What are the skills of a good policy officer & the attributes of an effective policy team?
Final wrap-up
- Outstanding questions/discussions/comments
- Check-in on whether key challenges identified on day one have been covered.
Close of masterclass
Canberra | Ngunnawal Country, ACT
Venue to be confirmed.
Pricing
Save until 6 October
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $600
Save until 27 October
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $400
Save until 10 November
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $200
Standard price after 10 November
+GST
This was a well-coordinated, well-delivered professional course with a high calibre presenter.”
Bronwyn Jentz, Operations Coordinator
Trade and Investment Queensland
Thank you very much for offering this course. It was insightful and thought provoking and I already have plans on how I can utilise some of the tools learnt this week, moving forward.”
Catherine White, Department Officer
Department of Health and Aged Care
Thank you for providing me with tools and a fresh outlook to lead effectively.”
Krystall Abel, Team Leader
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
I have definitely taken on what I have learnt, and will apply it in my current role as a Senior Project Officer. It will contribute to my performance and my capabilities. Thank you.”
Nancy Cook, Senior Project Officer
The Torres Strait Regional Authority