Perhaps related to this, is there more scope in Australian politics for devolving power to more local and even individual levels? Do you see potential for this, or will we see a further centralisation and concentration of power at the federal level?
We’re a federal system so of course we do have a certain level of devolved constitutional framework, although the state premiers are always complaining about the dominance of the federal government, being in control of finance, that they don’t have enough freedom to move.
But there are so many contradictions. I do think there is some scope for greater power for local governments and greater devolution to local areas, but at the same time there are contradictions running through a lot of these debates. There’s also a strong public move in Australia for eliminating regional disparities and having everything coordinated and made uniform. People want the education curriculum to be uniform and regulation of all sorts to be uniform.
So on one side, people are arguing for best practice to be applied right across the country in a fairly uniform way, and on the other they’re bemoaning the fact that there’s not enough local and regional initiative and freedom. So we’re a bit schizophrenic about these sorts of issues in Australia.
But there will be a continuing pressure to, at least in a cosmetic way, involve the public much more than has been the case and politicians who give the impression of being high-handed or out of touch are very quickly brought to heel by the Australian political process.
Interview was conducted by Jenghiz von Streng
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John Barber
martyn king on August 4, 2010 at 1:26 pm said
“Firstly, thanks for running the article. The constitutional change to a Federal Republic of Australia will buy more goodwill in Asia than any aid programme.”
How the heck do you come to this wild and fanciful conclusion, Martyn ?
It’s our internal issue, mate, nothing to do with countries in the region, besides there’s more to worry about with lack of political freedom in certain countries in our region than our constitutional arrangements.
patrick doyle
Regarding asylum seekers Julia Gillard plan is the way to go.She wants a UNHCR refugee camp somewhere in the south pacific. Refugees who arrive there will need to give staff their full particulars including schools attended and trade or business qualifications. After verification the UN will then circulate the details to countries who have signed up to give sanctuary to refugees.Canada is a country that is accepting refugees but it is too far away for boat people and it is one of many countries that will accept them.Refugees come in waves caused by conditions in their countries and the next big wave similar to Vietnam will come from Myanmar (Burma) when the power of the dictatorship there is broken. The “pacific solution” involved sending them to Nauru at great expense and then 12 months after the election bringing them back and settling them in Australia. Not good enough and not a permanent solution.
Patrick Doyle
martyn king
Firstly, thanks for running the article. The constitutional change to a Federal Republic of Australia will buy more goodwill in Asia than any aid programme. When is Australia going to grow up ? I find it odd that the issue cannot even be debated in Australia despite the fact that 60% of Australians support a Republic.
Marilyn Shepherd
I don’t suppose anyone wants to point out to Abbott or Gillard that everyone is off shore except us.