Making the Most of Caretaker: How Social Purpose Organisations Can Prepare for the Election Period
With the Federal Election approaching, the caretaker period brings limitations—but also strategic opportunities for social purpose organisations to engage and prepare for the changes ahead.
By Andrew Koubaridis
Australians are about to vote in a Federal Election – that much is certain. The exact timing of when ballots are cast is less clear, but it will not be later than May 17th and potentially by early April.
That means the caretaker period, another certainty of the electoral cycle, is nearly upon us too. Caretaker is the period after the Crown (the Governor-General) has dissolved the lower house of parliament in preparation for an election. The government then becomes known as the “caretaker government” and is expected to conduct itself within a series of well-defined conventions.
These conventions are not legally binding, but they are followed by both sides of politics and include not making major policy decisions (except in consultation with the opposition), and no major public appointments, contracts, or negotiations. The public service also switches to “neutral,” meaning it starts investigating and reporting for the benefit of the “electorate at large,” and switches off “public distractions” such as community service announcements, social media and anything that will “distract” from the election.
Despite day-to-day governing being in limbo while parties battle for the right to run the country for the next three years, Tanck co-director Neil Pharaoh said there were still opportunities for social purpose organisations to use the caretaker to their advantage.
Firstly, some unwelcome news. “Getting a big funding boost during the caretaker period is not common because funding commitments that expire during this time usually can’t be renewed,” Neil said.
“The exception to this is if they [the funding commitments) fall withing what’s called the ordinary scope of government. If your agreements expire during this period they could be renewed for a short period of time until a new government is formed,” Neil said.
That doesn’t mean organisations should spend the next several weeks doing nothing and waiting for a government to be elected and then sworn in. Neil said public servants kept working during the caretaker period preparing Red and Blue books (red and blue books are the briefs for a potential returning or incoming government).
“They will be working on including costings, insights, reports, and operational information and could pitch new or long-standing ideas as they prepare for the potential of a change of government or minister and are usually open to any briefings, report or evidence that helps better inform them.”
With that in mind, the caretaker period is a useful time to provide public servants this information and to re-circulate any ideas the department liked but the minster didn’t.
Neil said caretaker period should be used to plan and prepare for inevitable changes that flow from an election, so an organisation was ready and flexible to respond to a changed environment.
“Even a re-elected government will have some changes, from new ministers or ministers switching portfolios, to changed priorities that come from the election results,” Neil said.
An important thing to remember is there are protocols around having MPs at events with typically the MP and major party alternative were treated as equals. This means a delicate approach is required – if an MP or candidate engages with you, try and do the same sort of engagement with their opposite in the seat. Remember if they both attend the same event, tradition dictates the current elected MP is introduced before any candidate and speaks first.”
Neil said good MPs and candidates will be focused on two things during the caretaker period - connecting with voters and engaging with media. “Most stakeholder meetings are frowned upon during this time, as good MPs and candidates should preferably be working the phones, door knocking, or focused on every vote they need locally.”
Approaching candidates for the first time during this period or with little contact beforehand also showed your government engagement too late.
“It doesn’t matter how polished your attempt is, asking for something only when someone is a minister or in a position of power risks you appear too transactional and won’t reflect upon you favourably.”
Neil said going into caretaker with a plan, relationships and stakeholders mapped, and insights to provide is best way for an organisation to be best placed no matter what the outcome of the election is.
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