An assessment of international leading practice in the integrated management of public sector property assets, and its application to the Australian public sector

This thesis examines the Governance, Management and Administration of Governments' property assets. By examining the developments in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA), this thesis demonstrates why and how an integrated and strategic approach to the management of these assets is an important and crucial element of public administration. The thesis examines the concepts and theory behind the property management discipline and shows that it is as much of an art than a science, with its practice being extensively influenced by context and human behaviour. This data and information is used to develop a hypothesis for a 'leading' practice model for the management of government property. Innovations in property management policy and practice introduced by the UK and USA governments since the early 2000s to improve property asset efficiency and effectiveness are being touted as world's 'leading' practice, as is their development of performance 'measuring instruments'. This assumption that a world's 'leading' practice exists is tested through case studies into the UK and USA governments. Determining the position of the Australian public sector's asset management capacity and capability against this standard is tested by applying the 'National Assessment Framework's Asset Management Maturity Assessment Model' to a number of Australian public sector government jurisdictions. These measurements are analysed, and compared to an understanding of performance derived from a qualitative analysis of information and data obtained from the literature review, case studies, and the author's professional experience. Studies are conducted into the Australian public sector to identify gaps between the existing status of the management of property and the 'leading' practice model. These gaps are analysed and the barriers to such a practice identified. The thesis develops an understanding of any organisational behavioural issues that influence asset management policy, governance, and capacity to undertake and respond to change. Until the early part of the last decade, governments across the world had typically not understood the importance of real property to the provision of public services and to government financial sustainability. Beyond a number of papers and edited publications describing the experiences of individual jurisdictions, there is a lack of detailed and evidence-based research into the strategic management of government property assets. Little research exists for the Australian public sector. This thesis is intended to provide a platform for the research continuum in an area where little formal study has been undertaken. The significance of this thesis is that it provides a knowledge base for the Australian public sector to improve the management of its property assets (and other asset classes), which have an estimated value of some $325 billion.