Assaulting the evidence, adieu Kevin Jenkins and more ...

Assaulting the evidence, adieu Kevin Jenkins and more ...
(Image: Getty)
Jem Traylen
An assault on evidence?The new government’s coalition agreements proudly proclaimed that one of its “ongoing decision-making principles” would be to base decisions “on data and evidence, with programmes regularly assessed to see if they are delivering results”.But whether it was the banning of cellphones in schools, the repeal of smoke-free laws or the reincarnation of boot camps (the idea has had multiple rebirths), it faced repeated accusations that its policies fly in the face of evidence.Now, we are seeing the...

More Policy

Minister's $200m tobacco tax cut bypasses Cabinet requirements
Policy

Minister's $200m tobacco tax cut bypasses Cabinet requirements

Researchers say there's more evidence to support the repealed Smokefree policies.

Jem Traylen 26 Jul 2024
Holidays Act: no vacation for taxpayers
Economy In-depth

Holidays Act: no vacation for taxpayers

Let's pay billions of dollars and get nothing new for it.

Nikitin Sallee 25 Jul 2024
Health's 'hard reset', help wanted busting red-tape, and more...
Policy Business of Government

Health's 'hard reset', help wanted busting red-tape, and more...

Our weekly roundup of public sector news and analysis.

Jem Traylen 24 Jul 2024
PPP costs, schools, and avoiding Transmission Gully
Policy

PPP costs, schools, and avoiding Transmission Gully

Two words linger over the PPP debate, including in schools: Transmission Gully.

Dileepa Fonseka 23 Jul 2024