From analysing the political environment to engaging diverse voices, policy experts Dr Trish Mercer, Andrew Tongue PSM, and Fiona Barbaro give you the ultimate policy-making toolkit on our Work with Purpose podcast.

Crafting effective policies requires more than just technical expertise. As policymakers, you must navigate a complex landscape where political will, timing, and public engagement often determine the success or failure of your proposals.

In a recent Work with Purpose podcast episode, policy experts – Dr Trish Mercer, visiting fellow with ANZOG at the Australian National University, former senior public servant Andrew Tongue PSM, and Fiona Barbaro, senior executive at the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, draw on their extensive experience to offer practical tips on developing policies that are timely and resonate with stakeholders.

Understand the political environment

A deep understanding of the political environment is crucial for any policymaker aiming to create relevant policies. Without this awareness, even the most well-intentioned policies are at risk of missing the mark.

Trish emphasises, “You can’t be good at policy if you don’t understand [the political environment]. You really have to understand the government’s priorities, decision-making style, values, and the language it uses. They’re [all] very different.”

“You’ve got to know that the problem is well understood not just by the policy experts [but] understood in the community as well. You’ve got to have a policy solution that’s feasible… Most importantly, you’ve got to have political will,” she adds.

Knowing your ministers, their priorities and working styles is as important as understanding the broader political climate.

Andrew highlights the value of observing ministers in action, noting, “Ian Watt would call this the public service craft – that craft-based skill that you can only learn [by] sitting with somebody who’s done it for a decade and watching them interact… [that’s] a way to learn how to do it.”

Timing is key

Policymakers must recognise the right moments to push for action, as even the most carefully crafted policies can face delays or rejection if the timing is off.

Trish explains, “Policy is about pragmatic action, both by politicians and public servants. But there’s also a lot of inaction, and I think that’s where the frustration comes [from]. The time has to be right. So, you brief up [and] brief up, but nothing happens. Then you just have to be very resilient and wait for the next time.”

Policymakers must remain vigilant, constantly monitoring the political environment to identify windows of opportunity. Understanding when to push for policy action and when to wait is a delicate balance that can make the difference between a policy’s success or its indefinite shelving.

“[It’s a] critical skill that you develop as a public servant – to have that sense of alertness, often being incredibly tuned into what’s happening at the political level because otherwise, you’re not going to find that break in the hedge… You’ve got to be responsive and start to develop enough understanding,” she adds.

Engage with diverse community voices

Actively seeking out and including community voices is crucial in the policy process. By listening and engaging, policymakers can gain new insights, reshape their understanding of issues, and develop more effective and inclusive policies.

Fiona underscores, “Diversity really equals robustness… we’re here to serve the government of the day, create good policy and robust policy… You need to listen to [community voices because] that’s where the magic happens. All of a sudden, we see the problem differently and then the solutions start to emerge from those problems.”

Ignoring these voices can lead to unforeseen challenges that may disrupt the policy process.

“Those views are out there. So, if you don’t seek them and invite them into the policy process, they’re going to emerge at some point… From a public servant perspective, they can come across as bit of blockers and barriers, but they’re not. They’re voices in the community that haven’t been heard, that haven’t been part of the process. Then you have to re-engineer the processes, re-adapt the policy,” Fiona says.

Craft a powerful narrative

Developing a compelling policy narrative is a vital skill for any policymaker. A well-constructed narrative simplifies and organises the myriad factors that influence policy decisions, making it easier to communicate the purpose and benefits of a policy to stakeholders.

“I really believe in the power of creating [a] narrative. Some people will call it storytelling, and I’m okay with that because the world is so complicated – everything’s connected to everything else. In a sense, the narrative just helps us bring structure,” Andrew says.

He further emphasises the need for listening with humility in the process, acknowledging that in today’s complex world, no one has all the answers.

“That notion of the public service I joined in 1985 where there were mandarins and they knew everything, nobody can know everything now. It’s just too complex. So being humble and [letting] people who have something that they believe [in] is important – whether it’s evidence based or emotionally based – to have a say, to listen, and to reflect back.”

Finally, despite the complexities, Andrew advises policymakers to stay focused on their ultimate goal.

“It’s thinking about, ‘Well, am I here to put socks on centipedes or am I here to make a difference?’ Sometimes you’ve just got to be brave. I think some of it [is to] just have a go, be brave.”