Overhauling Federal–State Relations

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s pledge to reform federalism by “ending the blame game” between the states and Canberra was an effective line during the election campaign. In Opposition, he and Treasurer Wayne Swan won credibility in corporate boardrooms promising a long overdue overhaul of federal–state inefficiencies in business regulations, which the Business Council of Australia estimates cost taxpayers more than $9 billion a year or $1100 a year per household. These long-term goals face their first test next week when the Council of Australian Governments meets in Melbourne.  

Excerpted from editorial titled ‘Revitalising COAG to Boost Efficiency’, The Australian, 13 December 2007.

• COAG Promise Welcomed but the Test will be Real Action (news release)
• Shaping a new form of federalism