Debating the Role of Government in Public Services

Privatising public services like trains, hospitals or prisons — is a proven vote loser. But governments of both the left and right continue to privatise — when it suits them. And it suits them, it seems, when large sums of money are needed to pay down debt, or when a government seeks to off load risk and liability to the private sector. So, what conditions should be applied to ensure that privatisations truly serve the public interest and don't simply decrease competition?

Guests

Owen Hayford — Strategic legal and commercial adviser, Infralegal

Nino Bucci — Justice and Courts Reporter, The Guardian

Richard Denniss — economist and public policy commentator

Professor Graeme Samuel — Monash University Business School

Benjamin Goodair – Senior post-doctoral researcher, Oxford Universty