As we head into an election year, it is a critical time for health organisations and services to strategically advocate for their priorities, argues political strategist Angus Crowther.
With an ageing population and a sharp rise in chronic conditions affecting almost half of Australians, the public health sector faces numerous challenges. The outcome of the election and subsequent policies will profoundly impact the sector’s future and the well-being of Australians.
The first step is to understand what an election cycle is and how it influences policy changes. An election cycle is the period between two consecutive elections, typically spanning three to four years. It involves various phases, including campaigning, voting, and the subsequent implementation of policies by the elected government.
Health is one of the single largest government expenses and is a critical sector where the Commonwealth and States often engage in cost-shifting or seek creative ways to secure recurrent or uncapped funding.
Additionally, election cycles influence Commonwealth-State funding agreements that determine cost-sharing. Combined with factors like GST allocation, these agreements allow for mapping impacts over a cycle. Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the budget, elections, and funding agreements all present recurring opportunities for engagement, enabling health organisations to strategically plan their advocacy efforts.
Using the election cycle
Health services and organisations should align their strategies, workplans and activities with these election cycle timelines. Recognising the lengthy process required for sustained funding and the political preference for opportunities that are more favourable for positive media is crucial.
It’s essential to balance capital and operational requests while ensuring that projects are ready and aligned with both government and opposition agendas. This strategic alignment can significantly increase the likelihood of securing support and funding for key health initiatives.
As the electoral cycle progresses, there are three main opportunities for health organisations to engage in advocacy and secure funding.
The first is during the budget cycle, which typically starts around July each year and continues through to May of the following year. An expenditure review committee or similar body will decide on priorities, based on government revenue and the electoral and economic situation.
The second is the MYEFO. This update, often referred to as a mini-budget, occurs midway through the fiscal year and provides a critical opportunity for organisations to promote, advocate for, or secure funding.
The third opportunity arises from significant events or circumstances outside of the regular budget and MYEFO cycles. These events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, can prompt government action and create opportunities for organisations that engage in effective advocacy.
Interacting with government
In the health sector, interactions with governmental bodies and individuals differ significantly compared to other industries. It’s a heavily government-funded sector with complex stakeholders and a pronounced vertical fiscal imbalance between the Commonwealth and States. This complexity requires longer lead times, nuanced strategies, and thorough stakeholder mapping to effectively navigate advocacy and policy implementation processes.
For those looking to drive meaningful change in the health industry during an election year, here is some advice:
- plan and map funding agreements, political cycles, MYEFO, and budgets comprehensively
- look for creative ways to enlist support from States to advocate to the Commonwealth, or vice versa
- think in longer timeframes and cycles when strategising
- map the impact of initiatives to electorates
- don’t spend entire meetings discussing problems and your organisation; instead, propose solutions, generate ideas, and actively listen to stakeholders
- don’t embarrass the government into action when finances are tight
- don’t use the crossbench to antagonise the government; it can be counterproductive.
In a sector heavily reliant on government funding, leveraging the strategic opportunities of the election cycle is crucial for health organisations and services. A focused strategy and careful planning are the keys to securing vital election commitments and advancing sector priorities effectively.
ED: Angus Crowther is co-founder and executive director of Tanck, which specialises in engagement with government.