Participants interpreted this driver in two ways - 'good value' services were either essential 'core' services or where a person had received a high quality service.
Core services
Most of the examples that were considered good value for tax dollars spent related to health, education, police, emergency services and, to a lesser extent, were infrastructural and environmental. These core services were value for money because participants felt they were:
- Considered free - or paid for through taxes or rates
- Necessary and available to everyone
- Generally provided excellent service based on personal experience
- Performed well despite being under-resourced
- A demanding job for those on the front-line
High quality service
Another way participants interpreted 'good value' was when they had received a high quality, comprehensive service, that is, the experience had exceeded their expectations.
"They offer a prompt and efficient service. They put a name to a person, you get a case manager, they have good systems, they have good phone systems and you can contact the person, that is your only contact."
"When I do need to avail myself of the services of some government department, then I expect them to be run well, that the people there know what they're doing and that they treat you right. I expect a good service for all those taxes I pay. Good value for money."
