New CPD research director Chris Stone presents findings from James Whelan's report on Big Society policies in the UK, and implications if similar are adopted in Australia.

1. Centre for Policy Development
Public Service Research Program:
'Big Society' & Other Progressive Research
Christopher Stone
November 2012

2. CPD – Public Sector Research Program
http://cpd.org.au
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 2

3. 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
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 3

4. Other Research
• Efficiency dividend and alternatives
• Real lessons from the Building Education Revolution Program
• The value of VET and TAFE
(upcoming)
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 4

5. 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
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 5

6. 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
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 6

7. Rhetoric and Reality
• More services
• Diversity of service providers
• Localism fostered
• Communities supported
• Accountability
• Encourage volunteerism
• Leverage philanthropy
& social investment
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 7

8. Public Sector Cuts in the UK
Public sector spending £81 billion
Welfare £7 billion
Legal aid £350 million
Communities department 66%
New public housing 60%
Higher education 40%
Local government 27%
Police 20%
Average government agency 19%
Local government staff 10-20%
Public sector employees 240,000 (2011)
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 8

9. 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
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 9

10. 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
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 10

11. 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
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 11

12. Likely Effects in Australia
• There are differences between Australia and the UK:
– Federal system
– % government spending
– Government debt
• Outsourcing
• Pressure on
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 12

13. 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.
13 February 2013 Centre for Policy Development 13