The Commonwealth wants to partially reverse the cuts it made to public hospital funding in the 2014 budget. But the deal has some unwelcome strings attached.
The Curtin Labor Government in 1942 started the process to take income tax from the states.
National Library of Australia
The states have historically fought to keep their income tax powers so it seems a joke to see a rejection of the Federal Government’s proposal to give these powers back.
Political funding is a fundamental public trust matter. It deserves to be debated at COAG.
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Friday’s COAG meeting is a perfect opportunity for politicians to govern in the public interest: and that should start with reforming political donations.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull faces an uphill battle convincing all the states to agree to federation reform.
Paul Miller/AAP
Treasurer Scott Morrison has declared that differences between federal and state governments over tax reform may be “irreconcilable” because states want to use funds from a GST change to spend more.
Malcolm Turnbull may struggle to persuade Daniel Andrews and some other state leaders to back major tax change, though Mike Baird has been arguing for reform.
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Despite all the media coverage, don’t expect any clear decisions on national tax reform on Friday. But we should see more progress on other issues, including domestic violence and violent extremism.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised any changes to the GST will be “fair”.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
On Sunday, June 28, New South Wales Premier Mike Baird and South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill breakfasted at an Adelaide cafe. Baird had flown to SA for the meeting. Their discussion was about Tony…
Public hospital funding is in a critical condition.
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Any health reform proposals should start by addressing public hospitals and chronic care. But successful change in these areas requires getting the state-Commonwealth funding and incentives right.
The federation’s problems have outlasted the leaders who sought transformative reforms a decade ago; their successors must be wholly committed and follow democratic principles if they are to do any better.
AAP/Alan Porritt
The federalism discussion paper is out and the prime minister has called a leaders’ ‘retreat’ to consider it. They should build on the Constitution’s democratic principles to make the federation work better.
More mines, more roads, as the government puts its drive towards economic development ahead of all else.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
Amid talk of paths to surplus and investing in infrastructure, both sides of politics seem to have forgotten Australia’s longstanding responsibility to govern sustainably, and not just for the economy.
Australia needs a new Federal Compact to supplement a Constitution now empty of meaning.
Flickr/Moments for Zen
There is almost nothing in the Constitution that helps us make the system function, as against a mass of gaps and silences that are the sources of our problems.
The Australian newspaper reported that the Federal Treasurer has refused to back down on a proposed $4 billion cut to schools and hospital funding – a move that will anger the states.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
The government’s attempt to engage the States on one hand while whipping them with the other does not augur well for tackling growing health and education costs – or for lasting federal reform.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his state and territory counterparts have promised a stronger national response to violence against women – but will they deliver?
Stefan Postles/AAP
Australia’s federal and state leaders have pledged “urgent collective action” on violence against women. But a closer look at COAG’s new action plan reveals we’re already years behind on key measures.
The Commonwealth appear to hold the aces when it comes to state-federal funding, but the states have cards to play.
AAP/Stefan Postles
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne