What are the limits to public service advising? The ‘Public Argument’ test

Abstract

Some Wellington policy advisers seem to feel underemployed these days. Although the volume of work is reportedly high, they complain about being relegated to implementing policies rather than formulating them. Where big picture policy is concerned, it is said that governments mostly develop their ideas outside the public service’s field of vision, in party caucuses, think tanks, and prime ministers’ inner circles, or in consultation with special advisers who report directly to ministers. Policy advisers are then left to fill in the blanks. Some imply that things used to be ‘better’ and that advisers used to exert more leverage over high-level policy directions.