When governments reshuffle, housing policy can suffer. Here’s how to keep housing policy on track

When governments change, either because of election results or from political restructures, the make up of government departments also change. While some Australian departments, such as Defence, have remained stable for a long time, responsibility for housing policy has often shifted between various departments across the federal and state governments. These changes lead to fragmented and fractured housing policy, despite strong and ongoing debates about housing policy.

New AHURI research, ‘Fine-tuning the machine: Evaluating machinery of government for housing policy administration’, explores how housing policy is affected by government changes and ways to reduce negative impacts of these changes.

Diffused responsibility leads to fragmented and fractured Housing policy

‘We found that when responsibility for aspects of housing policy is spread across multiple departments and agencies, housing policy becomes vulnerable to frequent government changes,’ says lead author of the research, Associate Professor Joshua Newman from Monash University. ‘This can disrupt services and reduce policy capacity. A strong central department is needed for policy to effectively address the main housing issues in today's environment where housing providers partner across public, private and not-for-profit sectors.’

Mega departments and restructures can lead to problems

When housing policy is put within larger departments, it often receives less attention and resources as other policy areas take priority. When policy units frequently move or split, staff with real housing expertise become less valued, as generalist managers are preferred over specialists in these situations.

Restructures also harm staff morale, making staff feel their policy area and personal work isn't valued by senior management.

Good housing policy requires a priority, focused departmental structure

‘A Cabinet-level Department of Housing with a Cabinet-level Minister is the best way to advance public policy objectives for housing,’ says Associate Professor Newman. ‘This would ensure housing gets the resources needed to address the urgent issues that Australia is facing.’

A stronger legal framework between the Australian Government and the state and territory governments is also needed for a coordinated, long-term national housing strategy. Such strategies should have long-term goals and be protected from electoral cycle instability.

‘For essential future planning, governments must evaluate the changes they make to departments and how they function,’ says Associate Professor Newman. ‘Understanding who benefits and who might be disadvantaged by these changes is crucial for learning the right lessons from restructuring.’

The research was undertaken for AHURI by researchers from Monash University, University of Adelaide and RMIT.