Centre for Policy DevelopmentPublic Service Research Program: 'Big Society' & Other Progressive Research

Christopher StoneNovember 2012

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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.