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Restoring A Public Focus To Government-Owned Businesses: Is A Duty To The Public The Answer?, Victoria Baumfield
Restoring A Public Focus To Government-Owned Businesses: Is A Duty To The Public The Answer?, Victoria Baumfield
Victoria Baumfield
Commercialised government business enterprises (GBEs) have proliferated in recent years. In some cases, profitability has been accorded too much prominence, while the public’s concerns are ignored. This paper proposes that the pendulum has swung too far in favour of treating GBEs like regular businesses, with no regard for their public interest functions. Existing accountability measures must be strengthened. The ministerial responsibility model is insufficient to ensure that GBEs are managed in ways that take account of public concerns. Building on the public trust model, new approaches are required to ensure that GBEs do not neglect their duty, as governmental bodies, …