This book offers a general introduction to and analysis of the history, theory and public policy of Australian local government systems. Existing research tends to conceptualise Australian local government as an element of public policy grounded in an 'administrative science' approach.

This book focuses squarely on the problem of saving local government in the context of extraordinary financial challenges being faced across the globe.Saving Local Governmentis written principally for practitioners and employs a ‘conversational’ tone which makes complex theory both engaging and accessible. It augments world-best scholarship with Professor Joseph Drew’s extensive practical experience in guiding local governments away from the brink of financial insolvency. It is thus a ‘must read’ for local government executives, Mayors, Councillors and the regulators that oversee...

Professor Drew’s latest work makes the case that even great public policy needs to be deliberately and strategically sold in order for it to ultimately be considered a success. However, it seems that most people charged with the task of selling public policy simply do not have the requisite skills to do so.Selling public policyis an art that draws on disparate strands of scholarship spanning the political sciences, economics, sociology, ethics and the classics. To perform the art of selling public policy one must first master the lessons from the greats in the field. Following this, it is...