Politics remains mired in ideological preconceptions about what is optimal, often landing us in bad policy. Too often we see a simplistic and false dichotomy between partisan claims that markets are the best policy tool because they are efficient, or that government should lead because this ensures equity. This is a major drag on our progress and prosperity because today’s policy challenges typically require hybrid policy solutions: sophisticated combinations of government and market tools that promote both efficiency and equity simultaneously. Australia has been a major innovator in the past and could be again if we can deepen our commitment to evidence-based policy.

Dr Jenny Gordon and contributors to a recent volume on hybrid public policy innovations will discuss how hybrids work and their implications for policy in Australia and abroad.