Should/will Australia ever abolish the States?

Australia spends billions each year on the state system which was relevant 100 years ago but not now. If we moved to a regional and federal government system, we'd have better education, policing, commerce and save a lot of money and have lower taxes.

But could the states ever give it up?
Could the Federal govt ever put it to a referendum?
Would we pass it? Most referendums don't.
Or will the 'if it aint broke, don't fix it' attitude apply?

I'd be all for it!

I got back to my regular gripe about not being able to use a driver's license issued in one state, when you move (to live) to another state.

It's just ridiculous! I don't understand it.

The states make it like they're a silo, cordoned off from other states.
Totally agree that while it might have made sense 100 yrs ago, it now needs to change.

Think of all the departments replicated in every state. It's nuts.

There has been some great content on the ABC about this:

I think USA could benefit too but they are so patriotic about their state, they'd never do it. Just ask people from Texas.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/fora/stories/2009/05/27/2582441.htm

I agree! Abolish the states. So much duplication in the three tiers. Plus the states are just too big (geographically and population wise). Perhaps QLD has the right idea with their local government.

ooh thanks Chieftech! Bookmarked for later listening

and also http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiatalks/stories/2009/2611564.htm

Yes Minister had a great ep about this. Federal government and small, well funded local (community) governments. I would vote for this.

I wonder if we can get it as a topic on Insight.

(Yes Minister should be required viewing for anyone wanting to work in Politics)

Bet we could. Their Twitter account people take suggestions.

(not sure if they are different podcasts, but the I've listened to the first one - worth downloading )

Sam - Does local govt mean Govt 2.0?

dekrazee1 - lol. I don't think all our community is ready for govt 2.0. But a strong, local government looking after rubbish and footpaths etc while a federal govt looks after our education and heath is a win win for me

Oh okay... So basically we'll be left with federal govt and like the local councils we have now?

yes. But, in theory, because the local councils were more important in our lives, the community would take more of an interest. Of course, this is an idealistic scenario.

replace state govt with local govt enhanced with gov2.0 and i'm up for it.

Eradicate states, for the most part, they're useless middle management.

@bigyahu - we can be up for it, but do you actually think it will happen? Will anyone champion it? Govt won't put themselves out of a job themselves.

Then it shall be time for a revolution!!

In all seriousness though, the people have the say how they want the country to be run...

Are you guys actually serious? Can you name one country bigger than Australia (aside from england) that doesnt propotionally govern via states? Have Canada, the US, India, Russia, South Aftrica, Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, China, Japan all got it wrong?

@werda - but Australia only has 20m people.

3 levels of govt for that amount is a big waste.

I can't speak for all the countries you've listed - I don't have the knowledge, but I don't think you need to get a different driver's license when moving from the east coast to the west in the US. What we're talking about is reducing the overdone bureaucracy.

Least that's how I understand it.

if the only thing you are complaining about is a drivers license when moving interstate then it really isnt that bad... @bigmick, the sheer size of the landmass justifies the need for states. Whether state government could be more efficient is a side argument from the general validity of state government

Werda - it's just an illustration of the issue

agree with @bigmick - Australia is too small for states.

@werda - if you ceede those areas that make sense from a Federal position, then you aren't left with anything at a State level.

@werda For what I know France doesn't have states but what we call "departements" - however the current trend is to push towards a stronger autonomy for the "departements" and therefore come closer to a federal system. Makes a lot of sens when looking at the big picture (Europe).

Licenses are minor, but education systems are major. Police is major. Transport is major. Economic development is major.

@pierre judging by your name is suspect you know more than me on how France is governed :p I personally think people are too quick to point the finger at state government without realising the positives that it brings. decentralisation

I recently read an artcle (no idea where sorry) of a system where you elect 15 people from your neighbourbood, who in turn elect a person for a super neighbourhood council, who in turn elect someone for another council. The guy who proposed it reckons you could get a more engaged, democratic, representative system with only 5,10,15 counsils (he did the maths - I'll keep digging in google)

I think the state sizes doesn't make sense. WA is big and empty. Victoria is small and populated. out of kilter. No reason why those borders make sense.

@bigmick, do you really thing federal governemnt departments would be better at managing education than state government?

@bigmick, oh okay so now its the borders that are the issue and not state government itself?

By lack response i assume i win

By your assumption that you win, I know I win.

One advantage I suspect of managing the education system federally is you would get closer to achieving parity of educational standards across the country. I say 'closer' rather than completely as it will take more than that to solve the lamentable education given to the country's indigenous communities.

Will there be more beer if we get rid of the states?

@BigMick

I'm all for it. It'd be nice to still keep the 'states' so to speak, so we can have "State of Origin". In all seriousness though I can't begin to image how much $$$ we pay in paper pushing and salaries between the 3 tiers.

summary of Australia's education

400,000 students from 200 countries can't be wrong ... yes?

They should have been abolished AGES ago! Total waste of money and just stands as proof of pollies just ingratiating themselves on the public purse!

Given the average standard of politician federally it comes as no surprise that the level of state politician is woeful. I agree, Australia just isn't big enough in any way to justify the levels of government that exist at the moment particularly given you have councils below the state level aswell.