The national renewable energy target: An example of post-Machiavellian policy-making?

Since the election of the Rudd Government in 2007 intergovernmental relations have been a major feature of the political agenda. A 'new federalism' approach introduced a re-invigorated Council of Australian Governments (COAG) focused on developing national policies that reflect coordinated and cooperative policy-making processes. The establishment of COAG working groups provided the means for developing policies that reflect new levels of agreement between jurisdictions and a common approach to reform. The development of the 20% Renewable Energy Target has been one of the first initiatives of this new approach to policy-making. This research analyses the process behind the development of the target and places it within the context of the post-Machiavellian approach, and looks at the implications for future intergovernmental relations