This is the default approach Public meetings and briefings. When transparency and public accountability of decision making is for submission. the most important priority. Industry or sectoral meetings and briefings. When the integrity of the decision process will not be compromised Direct communications to affected entities. PUBLIC by early public scrutiny. Media and advertising. Large scale social media activities. If consultation identifies a policy option not previously considered, revisit analysis. When an affected group of stakeholders is in a small or well defined Face-to-face meetings, telephone calls or doorknocking of affected people. geographic area or business sector. Other direct communications to affected entities. When consultation should be contained so that effort is not wasted Small scale social media activities. involving unaffected parties. Direct public engagement of peak bodies or other representative groups. If consultation identifies a policy option not previously considered, revisit analysis. When the sensitivity of the issues requires that you gauge public Narrow or in-camera consultation of select groups of opinion leaders or peak bodies. sentiment or inform affected entities discreetly without needlessly Quantitative research into the general views and likely responses of affected entities or areas in triggering widespread concern, anger or confusion among affected which two-way dialogue is not sought. households or businesses. Alternative forms of consultation must be followed by broader post-announcement consultation on transition or implementation issues. If consultation identifies a policy option not previously considered, revisit analysis. When the decision is highly market sensitive and some gain OBPR approval must be obtained before this consultation option can be exercised. unfair advantage from being consulted. Consultation can take any of the above forms, but takes place after the decision maker has When public debate is strongly polarised and consultation is likely to made the decision. generate conflict or compromise good decision making. Consultation seeks detailed dialogue with entities on transition and implementation issues When an issue has already attracted significant and prolonged public rather than on the policy decision itself. debate and consultation serves no useful policy purpose. If consultation results in material changes to the policy proposal, the proposal should be When open public consultation could compromise the confidentiality returned to the decision maker for further consideration. of cabinet deliberations.
PUBLIC This is the default approach When transparency and public accountability of decision making is the most important priority. When the integrity of the decision process will not be compromised by early public scrutiny. Public meetings and briefings. for submission. Industry or sectoral meetings and briefings. Direct communications to affected entities. Media and advertising. Large scale social media activities. If consultation identifies a policy option not previously considered, revisit analysis. When an affected group of stakeholders is in a small or well defined geographic area or business sector. When consultation should be contained so that effort is not wasted involving unaffected parties. Face-to-face meetings, telephone calls or doorknocking of affected people. Other direct communications to affected entities. Small scale social media activities. Direct public engagement of peak bodies or other representative groups. If consultation identifies a policy option not previously considered, revisit analysis. When the sensitivity of the issues requires that you gauge public sentiment or inform affected entities discreetly without needlessly triggering widespread concern, anger or confusion among affected households or businesses. Narrow or in-camera consultation of select groups of opinion leaders or peak bodies. Quantitative research into the general views and likely responses of affected entities or areas in which two-way dialogue is not sought. Alternative forms of consultation must be followed by broader post-announcement consultation on transition or implementation issues. If consultation identifies a policy option not previously considered, revisit analysis. When the decision is highly market sensitive and some gain unfair advantage from being consulted. When public debate is strongly polarised and consultation is likely to generate conflict or compromise good decision making. When an issue has already attracted significant and prolonged public debate and consultation serves no useful policy purpose. When open public consultation could compromise the confidentiality of cabinet deliberations. OBPR approval must be obtained before this consultation option can be exercised. Consultation can take any of the above forms, but takes place after the decision maker has made the decision. Consultation seeks detailed dialogue with entities on transition and implementation issues rather than on the policy decision itself. If consultation results in material changes to the policy proposal, the proposal should be returned to the decision maker for further consideration.
Australian_Government_Guide_to_Regulation.docx