Environmental policy-making in New South Wales 1979–2010: a quantitative analysis

Abstract

This article presents a quantitative analysis of the environmental policy agenda in New South Wales between 1979 and 2010, using 505 policies. Analysis of the number of environmental policies made during that time shows a three-fold increase in activity from 1995 to 2010 under Labor. During this time, the Carr government (1995–2005) made 235 environmental policies, but the Iemma government (2005–2008) provided the most intense period of environmental policy-making, making 99 policies in three years. This is likely to be the result of a high level of capacity at the ministerial and agency level, the success of policy entrepreneurs, public opinion and new venues for policy. Prior to 1995, Liberal governments (1988–1995) made fewer environmental policies on an annual basis, but at a similar rate to the Wran-Unsworth Labor government (based on 1979–1988 data). Elections had a small negative impact on the making of environmental policy, decreasing the number of policies made during election years. It is argued that large-scale quantitative policy research, such as comparing policy counts over time, can lead to a fuller understanding of the policy agenda.