Something old, something new: public inquiries and policy advice

Abstract

This comprehensive analysis delves into the role of public inquiries as temporary advisory bodies, examining how their diverse methodologies generate a range of political and policy outcomes. Despite being unique entities often convened under political pressure, public inquiries produce advice with no guarantee of implementation, as they must persuade future decision-makers in a context they no longer influence. The study presents a typology of inquiry advice, distinguishing between formal-institutional, cognitive-interpretative, and value-oriented forms, and explores the dynamics that determine whether advice is heeded or ignored. Factors such as dynamic capacity, calculated inaction, and the concept of 'not wanting to know' are discussed to explain why inquiry recommendations are sometimes shelved. The analysis also considers the adversarial nature of evidence generation and the competing interests inquiries must balance. To improve the effectiveness of inquiry advice, insights from policy modernisation models, like Australia's Delivering Great Policy initiative, are adapted, offering principles such as clarifying intent, understanding problem framing, and ensuring robust policy processes. This exploration contributes to a deeper understanding of how inquiries can enhance policy systems and facilitate meaningful change. Show more