Post by Kiwi Frontline on Feb 5, 2022 10:14:38 GMT 12
THE TRAIN WRECK THAT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY-MAKING – Dr Bryce Wilkinson.
This is going to be a busy and difficult year for government. It is planning major changes to the health system, tertiary education, local government (the ‘Three Waters’), environmental rules and wage setting arrangements – while also struggling with COVID and the disaster which is housing policy.
None of these initiatives looks well thought through. All are being justified on the basis of good intentions. The established formula is: “this is a problem, something must be done, our policy proposal is something, therefore it must be done”. The government’s contentious and divisive proposals for Three Waters epitomise this approach.
Unfortunately, good intentions are not good enough. Particularly when it comes to public policy. There are always unintended and undesired consequences. Responses to a misdiagnosed problem will often make things worse, not better......
Continue reading Bryce’s NZCPR guest commentary here > www.nzcpr.com/the-train-wreck-that-is-government-policy-making/
This is going to be a busy and difficult year for government. It is planning major changes to the health system, tertiary education, local government (the ‘Three Waters’), environmental rules and wage setting arrangements – while also struggling with COVID and the disaster which is housing policy.
None of these initiatives looks well thought through. All are being justified on the basis of good intentions. The established formula is: “this is a problem, something must be done, our policy proposal is something, therefore it must be done”. The government’s contentious and divisive proposals for Three Waters epitomise this approach.
Unfortunately, good intentions are not good enough. Particularly when it comes to public policy. There are always unintended and undesired consequences. Responses to a misdiagnosed problem will often make things worse, not better......
Continue reading Bryce’s NZCPR guest commentary here > www.nzcpr.com/the-train-wreck-that-is-government-policy-making/