States Policy Unit
Governance & Service Provision / States Policy Unit
Australia's federal system of governance is intended to limit the power of government and increase its accountability. However, it has deep, systemic flaws which are only serving to undermine the quality of government services and waste scarce public funds. The Institute of Public Affairs States Policy Unit highlights the need for genuine competitive federalism. States and the Commonwealth need to be accountable to the public and responsive to the need for continued economic reform.
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States in crisis mirror EU
As the euro zone teeters on the brink, interested bystanders ask how long Germany will keep bailing out Greece, and why on earth it wants to. But...
The meter's running as Canberra eyes states' powers
Reorganisation, wrote journalist Charlton Ogburn, is a wonderful way of creating the illusion of progress. So last week the Federal Government...
Red tape excess holds back State's progress
The Western Australian economy might be reeling from the impact of the global financial crisis and retreating commodities boom, but not everything...
Axe this millstone on employment
If one waits long enough, one might witness the spectacle of the policy wheel turning full circle on payroll tax. In June 1971, prime minister John...
Disappearing income exposes the state's lack of planning
The latest economic and fiscal update, released last week by State Treasurer Andrew Fraser, shows the Queensland Budget going from good to bad to...
In a state of dysfunction
Despite what most people think these days, state and territory governments still matter. By managing more than $167 billion of spending, including...
Lower taxes encourage investment, expansion and employment
Tax competition between the states seems to be a dirty word among some economists. It is argued that a bidding war between states to lower tax...
From beggars to choosers
Tasmanians are the poorest Australians. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, Tasmanians have a per capita gross state product of just...
Billions lost as SA finances melt away
IN the modern economy, everything is interconnected. Poor financial regulation in the U.S. leads to a meltdown in their housing market; banks...
Bartlett's big spend may miss its mark
Following the Federal Government's $10.4 billion package to pump-prime the national economy, Premier David Bartlett has announced his own extra...
