EDITORIALTHE IMPORTANCEOF

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EDITORIALTHE IMPORTANCEOF POLICY/ KEVIN ANDREWS4 Australian PolityEditorial credit: Steve Tritton / Shutterstock.com
When this journal was launched in 2008, ithad a relatively small readership in mind: themembers of the Australian ParliamentaryLiberal and National parties. The two parties thathistorically have formed a coalition, had just beendefeated at a general election after more than a decadein government. Experience had shown that policydiscussion and development would be critical to a returnto government in the future.is beyond doubt. Without such discussions, the polityis deprived, and political parties languish.Kevin Andrews.As the founder of the Liberal Party and Australia’s longestserving prime minister, Sir Robert Menzies, observed:‘Opposition must be regarded as a great constructiveperiod in the life of a party, not a period in the wilderness,but a period of preparation for the high responsibilitiesin which you hope will come.’Regrettably that sentiment had often been ignored,especially at a state level. It may be true that governmentstend to lose elections, but without a credible opposition,they often remain in power for much longer than wouldotherwise be the case. The temptation to play the politicsof issues is strong - and a necessary aspect of politicalsuccess - but, as Menzies observed, ‘if you get thepolicies correct, the politics will follow.’Developing policy is hard, painstaking work. It requireswidespread consultation, the testing of variouspropositions and proposals, and the experience to makewise and prudent judgements. Not every ‘good idea’ orproposal from an interest group constitutes good policy.“Opposition must beregarded as a greatconstructive period inthe life of a party, not aperiod in the wilderness,but a period ofpreparation for the highresponsibilities in whichyou hope will come.”Hence the Australian Polity was created with the modestaspiration of promoting a discussion of policy amongstpolicy makers. After a decade of relying on the publicservice, it can be a confronting experience for someMembers of Parliament to thoroughly consider thechallenges facing the nation and find workable solutionsto address them. Most Members of Parliament can drafta short media release or write an even shorter commentfor social media. Some struggle however to craft a longer,detailed policy proposal.Since its first publication over a decade ago, the readershipof this journal has grown. To the extent that it has helpedto achieve the aspirations for it is a matter of judgement.But the continuing need for fora for policy discussionsAustralian Polity 5
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Page 3: CONTENTSAustralian Polity - Volume
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Page 41 and 42: proper place of the divine. Intoler
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Australian Polity, Volume 10 Number 1 & 2

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Australian Polity, Volume 10 Number 1 & 2

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