Perhaps you're mistaken like most on here and are referring to the state responsibilities?
Even Rudd prior to the election made no reference that he would throw tens of billions at the states.
The states revenues grew massively during the boom period and the list of spending increases across the board under Howard makes as long as my arm.
The State governments in general sat there like cry babies putting their hands out for more money with every new idea. In the mean time some states were slow to relieve housing price pressures with new land releases and thwarted different initiatives by refusing to relinquish their control.
One of my favorites is the fact that NSW and Vic governments between them spent the same amount as the feds on political advertising!
