Council for the Australian Federation

The Council for the Australian Federation has been created by the Premiers and Chief Ministers of all States and Territories as a means of working together to improve the way that the States and Territories deliver the many key services that affect Australians' daily lives – public education, health and hospitals, police services and emergency management, urban and rural development, the environment, water, transportation infrastructure and services, and cultural and recreational amenities.

The Council comprises all State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers. The Chair of CAF passed from Victorian Premier John Brumby to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh on 13 October 2008.

The Council held its fifth meeting by teleconference on 12 September 2008. This was Premier Brumby’s last meeting as Chair of CAF. At its fifth meeting, the Council discussed key issues including federalism, climate change and water reform. In addition, the Council discussed ongoing work, particularly harmonisation and policy innovation areas and addressed a number of key issues which have become of public concern such as reporting of large water consumers.

Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to:

• undertake further work on the possible impacts of the Commonwealth’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme on their communities,
• examine arrangements for registration requirements for zero and/or low emissions vehicles in Australia,
• identify possible areas for cooperation and opportunities for harmonisation to minimise the regulatory burden faced by the Not-for-Profit sector in Australia.

For more details, view the Communiqué for the Council for the Australian Federation’s 12 September 2008 meeting (Word 55kb).

For more information on the Council for the Australian Federation or to view the outcomes of previous meetings visit the official website.

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