The Australian Productivity Commission (PC) is an inquiry body of international renown, which Australian governments engage to obtain objective evidence-informed recommendations regarding a wide range of policy issues. Despite its prominence in the Australian policy landscape, there has been little empirical investigation into its practices. This study sought to understand the processes by which evidence is produced and communicated by the PC, with an emphasis on understanding its role within the policy process. Our findings unsettle the notion of the PC as an arms-length, independent body from government – revealing a more complex interplay of interpersonal strategies in both the production of evidence, shaping of recommendations, and communication of both. We identify practices undertaken by PC staff commonly attributed to policy entrepreneurs – or individuals seeking to influence policy and political processes. Our findings suggest that in different contexts and at different times, the PC shifts between being an apolitical or political actor.

中文翻译：

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调查生产力委员会的证据制作和传播：非政治性、政治性还是介于两者之间？

澳大利亚生产力委员会 (PC) 是一个国际知名的调查机构，澳大利亚政府与该机构合作就广泛的政策问题获取客观的循证建议。尽管它在澳大利亚的政策环境中占有重要地位，但对其实践的实证调查却很少。本研究旨在了解 PC 生成和传达证据的过程，重点是了解其在政策过程中的作用。我们的研究结果动摇了 PC 作为一个与政府保持距离的独立机构的概念——揭示了在证据的产生、建议的形成和两者的沟通中人际策略之间更复杂的相互作用。我们确定了通常归因于政策企业家或寻求影响政策和政治进程的个人的 PC 工作人员所采取的做法。我们的研究结果表明，在不同的背景下和不同的时间，PC 在成为非政治或政治行为者之间转变。