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Domestic Policy

Domestic policy covers priorities that affect the lives of all Australians. Our work involves advising the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and Portfolio Ministers on issues such as jobs and economic growth, the budget, industry, infrastructure, agriculture, innovation, health, education and the environment. Our aim is to provide the Government with high quality advice on how to make Australia more prosperous, successful and stronger.

Current Initiatives

A More Innovative and Agile Australia

A More Innovative and Agile Australia

21st March 2016

New ideas in innovation and science will be major drivers of Australia’s future economic prosperity.

Agriculture

19th December 2016

As part of the Domestic Policy Group we provide advice on agriculture related matters from a whole of government perspective.

Behavioural Economics

Behavioural Economics

22nd April 2016

Our work encourages people-centred design, which means: simpler, clearer and faster public services.

Early Childhood Education and Care, Schools and Higher Education

Early Childhood Education and Care, Schools and Higher Education

31st March 2016

We are looking at national funding arrangements for schools beyond 2018.

Effective Commonwealth-State Relations

Effective Commonwealth-State Relations

16th March 2016

We support the development of productive relationships between state, territory and Commonwealth Governments to promote policy reforms of national significance.

ICT Procurement Taskforce

ICT Procurement Taskforce

14th October 2016

About the Taskforce The Taskforce has been established in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to deliver on the Government’s Better and More Accessible Digital Service agenda.

Improving the Health System

Improving the Health System

18th March 2016

The Australian Government has reached agreement with the states and territories on additional funding for public hospital services over the next three years.

Infrastructure and regional development

Infrastructure and Regional Development

21st March 2016

We provide advice on infrastructure and regional development from a whole of government perspective to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. We work with the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development to deliver infrastructure programmes to build our nation.

Social Services and Immigration

Social Services and Immigration

31st March 2016

We work with other Government organisations on a range of social services and immigration policies and issues.

Strengthening the Budget and the Economy

Strengthening the Budget and the Economy

31st March 2016

We work closely with other Government organisations on tax reform, improved employment outcomes, and economic development policies.

Tackling Climate Change, Energy Productivity and Improving Our Environment

Tackling Climate Change and Improving Our Environment

21st March 2016

Addressing issues related to climate change, energy, biodiversity and water resources is important for the quality of our environment, our economy and society.

Taskforces on Past Domestic Policy Initiatives

Taskforces on Past Domestic Policy Initiatives

30th March 2016

Past initiatives include the UNFCCC, the National Ice Taskforce and the Agricultural Competitiveness White paper.

Latest News

David Gruen

How has Australia responded to the terms of trade decline?

Strengthening the Budget and the Economy

Thursday, February 2, 2017

A couple of years ago, I gave a speech in which I responded to Professor Ross Garnaut’s 2013 claim that, with the end of the mining investment boom, the Australian economy faced a hard landing (or ‘dog days’ in Ross’s parlance) in the absence of bold productivity-enhancing reform, because the unprecedented size of the downswing in mining investment would prove too disruptive for the domestic real economy and the labour market to absorb.

BETA Behavioural Economics Workshop

BETA Behavioural Economics Workshop

Behavioural Economics

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

On 25 November, BETA brought together 50 experts from across academia, government, and other sectors for a workshop in Canberra to discuss behavioural economics and its role in improving policy.

ICT Procurement Consultation

Consultation opens: improving ICT Procurement

ICT Procurement Taskforce

Friday, November 25, 2016

Australian consumers have embraced the benefits of digital technology. The way we live and work, communicate and access services is rapidly changing.

Resources

About behavioural economics

Domestic Policy

2nd September 2016

Behavioural economics is a field of economic analysis that applies psychological insights to human behaviour to explain and predict how people make decisions.

BETA Guide to developing behavioural interventions for randomised controlled trials

Domestic Policy

2nd September 2016

This guide outlines BETA’s approach to developing behavioural interventions for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). It pulls together behavioural and RCT expertise from around the world, in an easy to use guide for those looking to develop behavioural interventions for RCTs in government.

Final Report of the National Ice Taskforce

Domestic Policy

6th December 2015

This is the Final Report of the National Ice Taskforce.

UNFCCC Taskforce - Review Report

Domestic Policy

21st August 2015

This is the final report of the UNFCCC Taskforce, "Setting Australia's post-2020 target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions".

Australia’s emissions projections

Domestic Policy

11th August 2015

Australia’s 2030 target is strong, credible and responsible. It will require significant and sustained effort to achieve, given our national circumstances.