Evidence-based policymaking needs evidence. With good evidence, you are more likely to arrive at ‘timely and sound policy decisions.
Better Regulation’s public consultation gives you the opportunity to feed in evidence to the policy deliberations and change the outcomes.
You can find out what makes a good input by looking at the Commission’s own guidelines and submissions that have changed policy direction. I have prepared a checklist of 30 things to consider when you prepare your submission. Use them only if you want to change the outcome.
A simple checklist for your pubic consultation response
[]Identify the issues at stake
[]Identify the real problem to be addressed
[]Identify available policy options
[]Identify the impact of the policy options
[]Identify possible second order/indirect impacts
[]Bring solutions to the table
[]Identify other available policy options
[]Identify the impact of the other policy options
[]Identify possible second order/indirect impacts
[]Submit available data through other sources (reports, statistics, complaints, etc)
[]Be data – evidence heavy
[]Highlight data gaps
[]Table data to fill the gaps
[]Submit quantitive data
[]Submit qualitative data
[]Verify the source and reliability of data/facts
[]Anecdotal evidence can be used
[]Use reliable data/facts
[]Identify the ‘elephant in the room’
[]No selective referencing
[]Distinguish between information (data/facts) and subjective opinions and views
[]Specific not generalised answers
[]Use charts and visualisations
[]Submit area-specific information, e.g. dose-response curves, cost-benefit analysis
[]Identify if options in line with legislative intent
[]Identify relevant legal issues with identified options
[]Do not re-hash old policy and political debates that can’t be re-opened
[]Do not raise irrelevant factors
[]You don’t have to answer all the questions
[]Submit early