ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the long history of government–non-government relations that has existed in Australia, second, the contribution by the sector of social research and expertise in policy development and, finally, the relationship between evidence and advocacy in terms of the credibility and legitimacy of the sector. Non-government organisations have assumed a new importance in Australia in recent years, playing a significant role in public policy. While they have always played a vital part in the delivery of services in Australia, there is a new complexity to their relationship with government. One of the main areas where non-government organisations have developed the policy work has been in policy-related social research. The Council on the Ageing Queensland suggests its policy work involves ‘short-term reactive policy work’ on issues that arise either through the media or through government statements on a day-today basis.
