Australia's Federal Future – a report to the Council for the Australian Federation

The Council for the Australian Federation comprises the Premiers and Chief Ministers of all States and Territories. Through the Council, States and Territories work together to improve the way that the many services that affect Australians' lives are delivered.

Part of the Council’s role is to contribute to the debate of Commonwealth and State and Territory roles and responsibilities. In October 2006, the Council commissioned research on what federalism has to offer Australia in the 21st Century.

Australia’s Federal Future was prepared for the Council by Professor Glenn Withers (ANU, ANZOG) and Associate Professor Anne Twomey (University of Sydney) and will be the first in a series of papers to inform public debate on federal issues.

Australia’s Federal Future dispels many common misconceptions about federalism. The authors draw on international comparisons and political and economic analysis to identify a range of benefits that flow from federal systems, including:

• checks and balances on power to protect the individual;
• more efficient, innovative and responsive governments; and
• increased economic growth and higher GDP per capita.

For full details, view the report Australia's Federal Future (PDF 2.96MB)

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