This course is only available to students enrolled in the Executive Master of Public Administration.

An enhanced knowledge and understanding of the applicable elements of law, convention, practice and ethics is fundamental to any consideration of public policy. It can be the difference between success and failure for the practical bureaucrat, politician, or manager of a contracted provider. Many intrinsically reasonable statutory initiatives fail in operation through lack of 'administerability'. Knowing how the law applies, how to read it, how it works as a system, conditions for reasonable performance in operation, and knowing how to successfully navigate through the complexities of government is vital for public sector managers. The subject will address:
· origins of government and the notion of authority and legitimacy - the constitution, 'the platform', 'the mandate' statute, regulation, administration and review;
· uses and abuses of authoritative text; principles of administrative law;
· power as an operational control system;
· powers, instruments, management, and 'administerability';
· the role and force of conventions;
· institutional cultures in courts, tribunals and governments; and
· ethics, personal responsibility and accountability.

1. A brief individual assignment to be written and submitted during the program (1000 words), worth 20% of the total marks.
2. An individual assignment to be submitted by a set date after the program (2000 words), worth 50% of the total marks.
3. A syndicate assignment to be submitted by a set date after the program (4000 words), worth 30% of the total marks.

All students will receive a comprehensive reading pack. Any prescribed texts for the course are to be advised.