Do you think that Australia would be better off without State Governments?

Question

State governments in Australia are becoming less and less powerful as government becomes centralised on Canberra. They are also wasting an awful lot of money on duplicating the administration that is done in Canberra. This is often done a third time by local government on a small scale.

We are one of the most over governed people on earth. Twenty one million people with nine governments - federal plus six state and two territory governments is ridiculous. There is an academic body of thought that thinks we would be better off with large regional shire governments and a central government in Canberra.

What are your thoughts on this?

Answer 1

once you take away the people rights and their voice you are headed back to a King.

Answer 2

Sometimes, I think yes. Then some Pollie, does something stupid, such as to create a National water system and then give some of the states the right to veto - so much for National and for being in the National interest.

Just to top that off, with our third tier (councils), I read that our totally dumb (local) council is requiring people to seek permission, before playing cricket, football etc, on council property (actually ratepayers), which includes beaches, in S.AUST. Their reason - it will protect their assets. I think that it is just another tax grab - it takes money to administrate.

Failing that, it will create more "Alienation Of Lands" declarations by our councils in our local papers and more land sold to (over)developers. Who is going to play sports on weekend, when they haven't sought permission and a game of footy for the kids is a spur-of-the-minute thing? - and risk a $750 fine?

I guess that, like the Senate is there to stop rubber-stamping, by the Feds, we need State Governments, if for nothing else, then as a stop-gap.

We are one of the most over-governed, but I would rather be over-governed, than to allow the remaining two tiers to TOTALLY become big-brother. John Howard went last year.

Sorry, I'm angry with the Feds and our local coucil, at the moment.

edit: I was once against having the extra tier of government, but I'm not so sure anymore.

You might want to read the story in the accompanying link, before you judge.

Answer 3

G'day Bella Rose,

Gee, have you hit the nail right on the head there.

The duplication of tasks between Federal and State departments is ridiculous in this age.

Education, Health, Natural Resources, Roads & Transport can all be driven from Federal departments, and things like Police, Justice, Marine, Licence and Gaming can all be controlled by Federal, and channelled through Local Government.

This would enable the GST money to be used by Local Government, which in turn would reduce dramatically the Rates paid by property owners, and still have more money to spend on essential services.

As a nation, we would save billions of dollars, we'd be much more efficient and we could wipe out a whole layer of money-hungry, lying politicians and fat-cat public servants who sponge so heavily off the system and taxes paid twice by we poor battling Australians.

The problem is, of course, the method of getting rid of State Governments. They're obviously not going to vote themselves out, so it can only happen by referendum, so a national campaign driven by the media would be the only way of making it happen.

I'm ready to start a campaign when you are.

Great question, by the way... have a star!!