Yvonne Haigh

The first completely customisable, open access textbook on Australian politics, Australian Politics and Policy provides a unique, holistic coverage of politics and public topics for use in junior and senior university courses. With an online database of 40 chapters, the book innovatively enables instructors to compile a bespoke edition to suit their teaching needs, or to include individual chapters in course readers.

With contributions from Australia's leading politics and public-policy scholars, the textbook includes material on Australian political history and philosophy, key political institutions, Australian political sociology, public policy-making in Australia, and specialised chapters on a range of key policy domains.

Each chapter was subject to anonymous and rigorous peer-review to ensure the highest standards. The textbook comes with additional teaching resources including review questions and lecture slides.

This book is designed to help students engage with public policy. The book covers theoretical traditions, ideas and concepts together with the processes that enable policy making. Shedding light on the internal processes and practices that underpin policy formation and implementation, Public Policy in Australia also discusses the role of interest groups, media and social movements as external factors influencing public opinion and policy change. Each chapter contains study questions and topical case studies, to help students understand the importance and practical application of public policy. Key features: Makes the link between the policy making process, theoretical frameworks and policy analysis. Covers the external factors which can influence public policy, including the role of the media and interest groups and the way they shape public opinion. Topical and contemporary case studies at the end of each chapter to help students understand key points from the chapter and real-life applications of the policy process. Encourages critical thinking and reflexive practice.