ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that those who seek to influence policy must become adept at mapping their organisational environment. It begins by distinguishing between three classes of organisations: public-sector, non-government and private-sector organisations. The chapter emphasises the need to identify the connections between organisations in policy processes. All Australian publiosector organisations have a relationship to the system of government, which has three levels, or spheres, as some people say when seeking to emphasise the idea of partnership and equality between governments. The existence of local government authorities, or councils, and their powers are established in the local government legislation of each state government. The federal government and its departments and agencies developed after Federation in 1901. Non-government organisations play an extensive role in the lives of citizens who are either users of services, employees or volunteers. One important mechanism which facilitates and regularises the relationship between many non-government organisations and government is the ‘peak organisation’.
