2018, Volume 21, Paper 14
ISSN: 2209-6612

The Role of Economics in Policy Advice: An Agriculture Perspective

Sarah Goswami – Director Biosecurity Investment, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland

Elizabeth Woods – Director General, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland

George Antony – Director Industry Analysis, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland

This paper is a revised version of the 2018 John L. Dillon Memorial lecture, co-presented by Dr. Elizabeth Woods and Sarah Goswami at the University of New England on 5 October 2018.  The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not reflect Queensland Government policy.

Abstract

It is widely understood within the policy literature that economic advice is critical in policy development.  Ken Henry argued that economic policy advice should be analytically sound, strategically focused and compelling.  But where do these skills come from in the policy advisor, and what role do they have going forward?  This paper will explore this idea in the agricultural context, using the legacy of John L. Dillon, Foundation Professor of Farm Management at the University of New England, case studies from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland and the authors’ own experiences.  Moving from the hey-day of agricultural economics to the present and future, the contemporary role of economics in agricultural policy advice will be explored through practical examples of biosecurity and investment prioritisation.

Key words: John Dillon, policy advice, agricultural economics, biosecurity.

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