Poll driven government: a review of public administration in 2001
- 2002
- p.120-27.
- Mar
The approach of the Howard Coalition government to public administration in 2001 was consistent with the conventional wisdom that governments typically `play it safe' in an election year. The government's preoccupation with winning a third term in office was a significant determinant of the policy responses of the government on a number of key issues. The events of 2001 serve as a vivid reminder that policy considerations are ultimately subject to the dictates of the electoral cycle. This is the sixth administrative essay published in the journal since the editors resumed the administrative chronicles in 1996. - Reproduced.