Pathways to the enabling state : changing modes of social provision in Western Australian community services

Abstract

This investigation of reform of Western Australian community servies problematises assumptions about the enabling state. This investigation is distinctive by virtue of its attention to the departure points as well as the destinations in pathways of policy change and its unpacking of three modes of public provision into their three constituent policy elements (funder-provider mix; the nature of agreements between policy actors; and the type of fundinfg relationships). We find first that government had long adopted some aspects of the model of governance associated witht the enabling state. Second, we find some path dependency in policy change towards marketisation. Third, we find highly nuanced policy outcomes combining government exploitation of its authority, market innovations and the maintenance of basic network features of the programs.