Partnerships between Government and the Third Sector at a Subnational Level: The experience of an Australian subnational government

Since World War II and the establishment of the Welfare State in countries influenced by the United Kingdom, including Australia, government has used not-for-profits (NFPs) or the NFP sector to deliver services associated with much of its social policy. While the extent of this phenomenon has waxed and waned in accordance with the political philosophy of each successive party in government, the delivery of services via this sector has been increasing, particularly since the 1980s, and is a source of considerable political angst (Mendes 2008; Productivity Commission 2010).