Provide Expert Advice to Government

The University of Newcastle, particularly through the Institute for Regional Futures (IRF), delivers evidence‑based research, strategic advice, and policy evaluation that supports government decision‑making at local, regional, and state/federal levels. The Institute works in partnership with councils, government agencies, industry bodies and communities to inform policy, strategy, governance, and planning in areas such as regional development, environmental management, infrastructure, service delivery, and socio‑economic wellbeing.

The University of Newcastle delivers evidence‑based research, strategic advice, and policy evaluation that supports government decision‑making at local, regional, and state/federal levels.

Two examples for 2024 would be through our Centre for Law and Justice and our Institute for Regional Futures (IRF).

The  Centre for Law and Justice in 2024

Here are examples and mechanisms by which we provided expert advice and guidance in 2024:

• The Centre for Law and Justice made submissions to several parliamentary inquiries including:
  ‑ Inquiry into the Truth and Justice Commission Bill (2024) (co‑authored with Wakul Yabang Aboriginal Health Research Community Panel), recommending guiding principles for truth‑telling and oversight.
  ‑ Inquiry into Australia's Human Rights Framework, recommending the enactment of a comprehensive Human Rights Act, including rights for refugees, people with disability, First Nations peoples, and other vulnerable communities.

The Institute for Regional Futures in 2024

• The Institute for Regional Futures works in partnership with councils, government agencies, industry bodies and communities to inform policy, strategy, governance, and planning in areas such as regional development, environmental management, infrastructure, service delivery, and socio‑economic wellbeing.

1. Planning & Policy Advisory Services
   • IRF offers Optimising your organisation services including policy advisory and implementation, governance, strategic planning, workforce planning, and service delivery reviews for government bodies and council entities. For example, the economic development strategy background study for Dantia (the economic development organisation for Lake Macquarie City Council), where IRF provided strategic insights for the Council’s 2022‑2036 plan.
2. Evaluations & Evidence‑Based Assessments
   • IRF conducts evaluations of government or council‑led programs. For example: the Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPS) in regional NSW councils — IRF reviewed the process & outcomes of LSPS programs to strengthen local and regional planning in NSW. An example being the economic impact assessment and environmental benefit analysis for the proposed Great Koala National Park, in collaboration with Bellingen Shire Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, Destination North Coast NSW, and more. The assessment produced projections of economic output and biodiversity gains to inform government decision‑making.
3. Collaborations During Major Regional Projects
   • IRF is collaborating with local councils (the Hunter’s 10 local councils) via the Hunter Joint Organisation to prepare for the opening of the Hunter international airport. This involves planning, policy advice, strategy and community engagement to ensure that regional impacts and needs are accounted for in infrastructure, employment, economic development etc.
4. Community, Stakeholder & Government Engagement
   • IRF’s Fostering Real Connections service includes stakeholder analysis, engagement planning, Indigenous engagement, and community values work. For example, working with Port of Newcastle to design and run a community values engagement process to ensure residents’ values influence strategic decisions for the Port’s diversification in a low‑carbon future. IRF is working with Bellingen Shire Council on community resilience, using deliberative panels to advise on how local government, industry & communities can build capacity, resilience, and plan for disasters or climate impacts.
5. Data & Indicators for Government Use
   • IRF maintains the Hunter Insight Dashboard, which tracks socio‑economic indicators for the Hunter region, providing up‑to‑date data that governments (local and state) can use for monitoring, and planning, resource allocation.
   • The Hunter Insight Series reports draw together longitudinal and cross‑sectional data to highlight regional trends, challenges and opportunities. These are tailored for decision makers and policy development.

Publications

Our research projects generate insights and impact for our government, industry and community partners. A collection of publications showcasing our work is available on Open Research Newcastle, the University of Newcastle's open access repository.

Visit our publications collection