Monday, March 12, 2007

Self-Sufficient, Self-Absorbed?

The Graham government's committment to achieving self-sufficiency should be roundly applauded, but the latest paper coming out of the Self-Sufficiency Task Force is a bit problematic.

How so? Well, the first two papers established some broad themes for discussion, but the latest paper goes in a radically different direction and offers up twenty-odd specific solutions. Even the title is rather definitive - Policy Directions. No need for input there, I guess.

The Task Force has already recieved criticism (however unfairly) for being less than transparent in its consultations, but this third report (issued only a few weeks before the Task Force wraps up consultation) certainly sticks it to those who wanted a policy free-for-all.

The old maxim holds true, I guess. If you're going to hold a government commission, you better darn well know what you want to achieve before you get the commission started...

Or maybe not.

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