There has been much debate recently over whether we should abolish the states. Ironically this has been coming from the Liberal Party - which has been traditionally regarded in Australia as the protector of the states rights. The ALP has never really been a defender of federalism although with the present situation where all state and territories are held by Labor, this could change. John Howard has been quoted as far back as the early 90s, however saying it might be good to do away with the states.
I have traditionally supported the Federal structure in Australia although I have changed my mind recently. It is true that Federalism generally encourages innovation and lower taxes as states compete with one another, although I feel in a globalised world, we are now getting these benefits through the Federal government competing with other countries. There is now far more policy influence from overseas meaning experimentation between states is becoming more and more irrelevant.
To be honest I am getting tired of the blame shifting and buck-passing between the federal government and the states. This can be solved by clearer lines of responsibility although this appears unlikely to happen as both levels of government want more power.
In 1901 the States reflected genuine focuses of economic and social activity in this country; they have long since ceased to do so. In this era of micro economic reform, with interstate economic activity ever increasing, what we are getting from the States is eight different legal and regulatory systems in areas such as criminal law, environmental law, consumer law, trade and occupational qualifications, food standards, workers compensation — and so the list goes on. Business is confronted with a multiplicity of conflicting regulatory demands and overlapping planning regimes which generate inordinate delays, conflicting demands and fragmentation of the planning process.
It is not necessary to be a genius to work out that the Murray River was adopted as a boundary in the days when no one had heard of pollution and it was thought that natural resources were unlimited. This is an area of policy that really annoys me at present as the states have walked away from the national water agreement due to a petty dispute over funds. Under a system where we had no states this would not be a problem.
So what do people think? Should we abolish the states and only have two levels of government in this country?
I have traditionally supported the Federal structure in Australia although I have changed my mind recently. It is true that Federalism generally encourages innovation and lower taxes as states compete with one another, although I feel in a globalised world, we are now getting these benefits through the Federal government competing with other countries. There is now far more policy influence from overseas meaning experimentation between states is becoming more and more irrelevant.
To be honest I am getting tired of the blame shifting and buck-passing between the federal government and the states. This can be solved by clearer lines of responsibility although this appears unlikely to happen as both levels of government want more power.
In 1901 the States reflected genuine focuses of economic and social activity in this country; they have long since ceased to do so. In this era of micro economic reform, with interstate economic activity ever increasing, what we are getting from the States is eight different legal and regulatory systems in areas such as criminal law, environmental law, consumer law, trade and occupational qualifications, food standards, workers compensation — and so the list goes on. Business is confronted with a multiplicity of conflicting regulatory demands and overlapping planning regimes which generate inordinate delays, conflicting demands and fragmentation of the planning process.
It is not necessary to be a genius to work out that the Murray River was adopted as a boundary in the days when no one had heard of pollution and it was thought that natural resources were unlimited. This is an area of policy that really annoys me at present as the states have walked away from the national water agreement due to a petty dispute over funds. Under a system where we had no states this would not be a problem.
So what do people think? Should we abolish the states and only have two levels of government in this country?
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