A few days ago i heard (on the 6.30 project )a spokesperson for the business community lament they fact that the cost to doing business in Australia by the maintaining state gov's was around the $90 billion a year mark.
1. Our population of 22 million has three tiers of governments, federal, state and local. But New York City has a similar population but is governed by a Mayor. We are over governed for a relatively small population.
2. State governments are expensive. They cost Australians over thirty billion dollars every year or three hundred billion each decade. The cost of six state governments all doing the same thing for their small populations is a waste to the Australian taxpayer. For the full explanation of the cost savings then click here.
3. It will stop the blame game between the federal and state politicians when things (always) go wrong. This will lead to the federal government taking responsibility for the delivery of goods and services to the public.
4. Initially, no public servant will lose a job as the different state bureaucracies all report to the relevant Federal Minister. There will be a natural attrition for fewer positions over ten years as the duplication of tasks are eliminated.
5. Think of Health, Education and Transport. Currently there are nine Health Ministers in Australia, nine Education Ministers, nine Transport Ministers, nine Infrastructure Ministers in Australia - one for each state, territory and federal government. There will be more consistency, accountability and better service delivery if we just have one minister for each portfolio.
6. It is popular - most Australians we have asked agree that state governments are a waste of time and money. We are only going to fight for a cause that the majority of Australians want and need.
By the time this baby is ten, think of the hundreds of billions wasted on politicians blaming each other rather than being spent on health and education for our children.
7. It will be much simpler to understand for everyone. The businesses of Australia will only have one set of regulations rather than seven different regulations. Consumers will have the same protection across all Australia. Workers will all have the same rights and protection at work.
8. We have a national economy not six state economies. It doesn't matter if a new business is based in Tweed Heads or Coolangatta, it is helping the Australian Economy grow, providing secure employment and income to Australian people.
9. We can all have an easier life - especially those Australians who live near a state border or who move interstate. Currently they face up to 1300 legal and administrative changes as they walk or drive across a state border. Many Australian towns are less then 100 metres from a state border.
10. We won't have to vote at as many elections saving time and money which means more time at other places.
