Unit 4 - Area of Study 1: Domestic Policy

Outcome 1

Explain how Australian federal domestic policy is formulated and implemented, analyse the factors which affect these processes and critically evaluate a selected contemporary domestic policy issue.

Examples of learning activities

• Investigate the key terms listed for this area of study and add to glossary. Ensure a relevant example is included for each term.
• Discuss the aims of ‘domestic policy’ as formulated by the government. Provide students with a list of perspectives to support a class discussion.
• Examine the cycle of policy formulation. Create an annotated wall chart outlining the key steps in the policy formulation process.
• Using the Analysis and Policy Observatory website, make a list of the domestic policy areas currently being discussed and debated in Australia.
• Create an annotated visual display of a policy formulation and implementation of a current domestic policy area that includes the role of government institutions, role and significance of ministerial advisors, contribution of the Opposition and minor parties, other influences, extent of and reasons for the success or not in implementing the policy.
• Discuss the role of cabinet in policy formulation. Examine the role and influence of cabinet in the case study of domestic policy formulation; 'Cabinet revolt over Tony Abbott and Peter Dutton plan to strip Australians of citizenship'.
• Research, take notes and create a concept map showing the various influences on the formulation of domestic policy of factors outside the government; include the opposition, minor parties and independents in this chart. Refer to a current policy debate for relevant examples.
• Make a list of the factors which may affect the successful implementation of domestic policy. Discuss why some factors may be more influential than others. Consider the “Home Insulation Scheme” of the Rudd government as a historical example (examples for should fall within the last 10 years).
• Explore the operations of a government department; use their website to identify the various roles of those working there. For example, the Department of Human Services website.
• Create a wall flow chart clearly showing the difference between policy formulation and policy implementation with a list of factors affecting each stage.
• Watch and discuss an episode of The Hollowmen or Utopia (ABC TV). Take notes for a discussion on the influence of ministerial advisers in the formulation of domestic policy as demonstrated in the program.
• Create a perspectives chart on a current domestic policy that displays the different points of view on a domestic policy.
• Analyse the role of the media in a current domestic policy issue; hold a class debate on the topic of ‘the media has too much influence in Australian domestic policy’.
• Research the aims and background of an interest group, such as the AMA, Get Up or a trade union. Prepare a short report analysing the reasons for their success or lack of success in influencing a domestic policy issue.
• Examine the most recent federal election. List the key domestic policy issues which were raised by the major parties. Analyse the outcome of these policies after the election. Note the role of minor parties in the election policy debate process.
• 
  Research and write a case study report on a contemporary domestic policy.

 

Detailed example

Domestic policy case study report

Select a recent federal government domestic policy case study from within the last 10 years.

Research the policy area and the nature of the government’s response. Prepare a written report which includes the following:

• A discussion of the policy area and issue being addressed by the government. What is the background and context for this policy area? Why has this policy area emerged?
• Identify the main factors that influenced the government in the formulation of their policy response. Refer to specific aspects as included in the Study Design, e.g. those from within government institutions such as the cabinet, the prime minister, parliament, the public service, the judiciary (if applicable). Refer to factors outside government institutions, e.g. ministerial advisers, the opposition, minor parties/independents, international factors, opinion polls, media and interest groups. Which were the most influential factors in formulation and why?
• Examine the implementation of the policy. What factors influenced the outcome of the policy implementation? If the policy is yet to be implemented, what roadblocks might exist?
• Evaluate the overall success of the selected domestic policy in achieving its aims.