Hospital funding, prisons and community services: how reform is implemented

"In public sector reform good implementation is as important as good policy. Too little work has been done in Australia which examines the practical issues associated with implementation of major social policy reforms," Mr Bill Scales, Chair of the Steering Committee for the Review of Commonwealth/State Service Provision said today. "And implementation is often difficult".

Mr Scales was releasing the report, Reforms in Government Service Provision 1997, which examines the implementation of:

• casemix funding of public acute hospitals in Victoria;
• competitive tendering and contracting of prisons in Queensland; and
• reforming funding arrangements with the charitable sector in SA.

The report also documents how all other States and Territories are implementing reforms in these areas.

"This report - part of the work of a cooperative Commonwealth, State and Territory project to improve the performance of government service provision - is the first broad examination of how a series of important reforms were implemented," said Mr Scales. "By looking closely at individual reforms it is possible for decision makers to identify those lessons which can be applied to their human services programs."

"This report is not an evaluation of the reforms, but more a way for the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments to learn from each other," Mr Scales said.

For media comment: Bill Scales (03) 9653 2297
For background information: Lyn Maddock (03) 9653 2184, (018) 481 735

Forming the Productivity Commission

The Industry Commission, the former Bureau of Industry Economics and the Economic Planning Advisory Commission have amalgamated on an administrative basis to prepare for the formation of the Productivity Commission. Legislation formally establishing the new Commission is before Parliament.