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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News
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...
Publications
IPA State Business Tax Calculator 2011
IPA State Business Tax Calculator.
IPA State Business Tax Calculator 2011 - Fact Sheets
IPA State Business Tax Calculator 2011 - Fact Sheets
Governing in ignorance: Australian governments legislating, without understanding, intellectual property
Monday, 26th of April 2010 is World Intellectual Property Day. Intellectual property is one of the most poorly understood areas of public policy, but also one of the most important to understand in a knowledge economy. Yet legislators regularly...
