Contracting out public sector services and divesting public enterprises are reforms that have enjoyed widespread global popularity in recent years. Better services, lower prices and greater accountability are the promises made by politicians, senior executives, and investment companies when functions are moved from the public sector to private enterprise. But in Privatization, Graeme A. Hodge challenges these assumptions. Through an examination of hundreds of international studies on the performance of privatization activities, Hodge demonstrates that privatizing public services is often not the guaranteed panacea portrayed by its political supporters. Importantly, privatization activities can lead to modest gains, but there are also winners and losers in this reform. It therefore deserves far more care and balanced debate than it usually attracts.
This book examines Public–Private Partnerships (PPP), and tracks the movement from early technical optimism to the reality of PPP as a phenomenon in the political economy. Today's economic turbulence sees many PPP assumptions changed: what contracts can achieve, who bears the real risks, where governments get advice and who invests. As the gap between infrastructure needs and available financing widens, governments and businesses both must seek new ways to make contemporary PPP approaches work.
Contracting out public sector services and divesting public enterprises are reforms that have enjoyed widespread global popularity in recent years. Better services, lower prices and greater accountability are the promises made by politicians, senior executives, and investment companies when functions are moved from the public sector to private enterprise. But in Privatization, Graeme A. Hodge challenges these assumptions. Through an examination of hundreds of international studies on the performance of privatization activities, Hodge demonstrates that privatizing public services is often not the guaranteed panacea portrayed by its political supporters. Importantly, privatization activities can lead to modest gains, but there are also winners and losers in this reform. It therefore deserves far more care and balanced debate than it usually attracts.
This book, first published in 1987, sets out to examine and extend our understanding of Australian popular culture, and to counter the long-established, traditional criticism bewailing its lack. The authors argue that the 'knocker's' view started from an elitist viewpoint, yearning for Australia to aspire to a European culture in art, music, literature and other traditional cultural fields. They argue however that there are other definitions of culture that are more populist, more comprehensive, and which represent a vitality and dynamism which is a true reflection of the lives and aspirations of Australians. Myths of Oz offers no comprehensive definition of Australian culture, but rather a way of interpreting its various aspects. The barbeque or the pub, an expedition to the shops or a day at the beach, the home, the workplace or the job queue; all these intrinsic parts of Australian life are examined and conclusions drawn as to how they shape or are shaped by what we call popular culture. The authors look too at monuments and symbols, from Ayers Rock to the Sydney Opera House, which both shape and reflect Australian culture, while a chapter on the Australian accent shows how language and terminology play a powerful role in establishing cultural standpoints. A particular strength of this book is that while delivering a provocative and stimulating series of viewpoints on popular culture, it also makes use of current academic tools and methodology to ensure that we gain new insights into the meanings and pleasures we derive from our everyday experiences.
Nine out of ten Australian electricity consumers buy their power in a national, part-privatised market. State-owned monopoly of electricity supply has been transformed by public policies and schemes promising better service and lower prices. But how has the consumer really fared?
One killer can hide in a city of millions When a homeless man is found dead in an abandoned tube station, DI Denning and DS Fisher are shocked to find out he has been stabbed. Who would want to kill a homeless man? And why? As they uncover his identity as a man involved in a serious fraud case several years ago, it leads to even more questions. Why are the victim's family so reluctant to help them solve the case? Who else is involved? Faced with a wall of silence, the squad finds only one man willing to share what he saw of the murder. But when he too is found dead, it's clear that someone will take brutal lengths to hide their secrets. Driven by his conviction that the dead man is owed justice and finding that some very dangerous individuals are tied up with the case, Denning won't rest until he solves the crime - but can he find the killer before he kills again? Meanwhile, Molly realises she is being stalked. Could this somehow be connected to the case, or is there someone in her personal life who wishes her harm? Join DI Denning and DS Fisher for another unputdownable London crime thriller, for fans of Stuart MacBride and Cara Hunter. Readers are hooked on Truth Lies Dying: ‘Great writing and premise. Amazing characters...Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review ‘Hits the mark and is a gripping, unputdownable crime thriller...A very good read and suspenseful story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review ‘The plotting is excellent, it's fast paced with plenty of suspense...enough twists to keep the reader interested until the end.’ Reader Review ‘A great whodunnit, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns!’ Reader Review ‘A really good police procedural. It had a gripping story and I enjoyed how the story unfolded.’ Reader Review ‘Wow, what a book...I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to others.’ Reader Review Readers can't get enough of the Denning and Fisher series: ‘fast paced and utterly gripping, with plenty to keep you guessing from start to finish. Thoroughly entertaining.’ The Bookwormery ‘Well-paced, with a few clever twists, I was never quite sure I knew who the killer was. Graeme Hampton’s writing is fabulous.’ Jessica Belmont ‘This story starts with a bang and holds your attention throughout... fast paced and multi layered, each twist and turn drawing us further in’ Book Bound ‘Wow I really enjoyed this book... It is a complex, intriguing, grabbing book that you can sink your teeth into. I was hooked from beginning to end’ Reading Through the Pain
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