Government | Regulation

A Federation for the 21st Century

Released on 27 October 2014, CEDA's report, A Federation for the 21st Century, explores the efficiency of the Australian Federation, duplications between Commonwealth and state responsibilities, and implications for public sector productivity.



On 27 October 2014, CEDA released A Federation for the 21st Century.

The report explores the efficiency of the Australian Federation, duplication between Commonwealth/state responsibilities and implications for public sector productivity.

This report was released at an event in Sydney. Click here to watch videos from the Federalism report launch.


A Federation for the 21st Century examines:

  • The key challenges for a federation in the 21st century;
  • The potential for reforming the way government organises and delivers services;
  • The relationship between the Commonwealth and state governments in relation to funding, investment and infrastructure:
  • Local versus national requirements for services and regulation; and
  • Engaging with state and Commonwealth policy makers to increase Australia's long-term economic and social prosperity.


Download the report - A Federation for the 21st Century (pdf)

Read media release - CEDA report: Fed's revenue distribution failing to deliver for states

Read opinion piece - Another Tenterfield needed to drive reform by CEDA Chief Executive, Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin

Watch videos - Federalism report launch and events

Chapters and authors

Section 1: Context

Chapter 1.1
The historical context of Australia's Federation
Professor John Cole  

Chapter 1.2
Economic perspectives on federalism
Professor Bhajan Grewal

Chapter 1.3
Federalism and diversity in Australia
Professor Nicholas Aroney

Section 2: Critical interdependencies

Chapter 2.1
The culture of Commonwealth and state relations
Jennifer Menzies

Chapter 2.2
The legality of federal government expenditure
Professor Anne Twomey

Chapter 2.3
Regulatory setting within the Australian Federation
Dr Tina Hunter

Chapter 2.4
Performance comparison in Australian federalism
Alan Fenna

Section 3: Determining roles, responsibilities and functions

Chapter 3.1
Criteria for assigning roles and responsibilities in the Federation
Professor Kenneth Wiltshire

Chapter 3.2
Virtual local government
Professor Percy Allan AM

Chapter 3.3
The need for strong metropolitan governance within the Federation
Lucy Hughes Turnbull AO

Chapter 3.4
Providing public infrastructure in Australia
Bree O'Connell and Brad Vann

Chapter 3.5
Roles and responsibilities in the Federation
Tanya Smith

Section 4: A reform agenda

Chapter 4.1
Reforming the Federation
The Hon. John Brumby

Chapter 4.2
Governments, subsidiarity and saving the Federation
Terry Moran AC

Chapter 4.3
Case study of reform in the Federation: Vocational Education and Training
Dr Vince FitzGerald and Professor Peter Noonan

Chapter 4.4
Entrenched disadvantage: Helping remote indigenous communities
The Hon. Fred Chaney AO and Professor Ian Marsh

 

Federalism launch and forums

Report launch in Sydney Monday, 27 October 2014

CEDA's 2014 policy perspective, A Federation for the 21st Century, will be launched at a CEDA forum in Sydney on Monday, 27 October 2014. Speakers:

  • The Hon. Nick Greiner AC, Former Premier of NSW; CEDA Board of Governors
  • The Hon. Justice Duncan Kerr Chev LH, Federal Court of Australia Judge; President, Administrative Appeals Tribunal; and former Federal Minister for Justice
  • Professorial Fellow Terry Moran AC, CEDA Board of Governors; National President and Institute of Public Administration Australia (contributing report author)

Watch videos - Federalism report launch

Melbourne - Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Speakers:

  • Dr Ian Watt AO, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Professor Percy Allan AM, Principal, Percy Allan & Associates (contributing report author)
  • Tanya Smith, Principal, Nous Group (contributing report author)
  • Brad Vann, Partner, Clayton Utz (contributing report author)

Watch videos from this event

Perth - Friday, 31 October 2014

Speakers:

  • The Hon. Richard Court AC, Former Premier of Western Australia and Non-Executive Chairman, Iron Ore Holding
  • The Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MP, Federal Member for Perth
  • Professorial Fellow Terry Moran AC, CEDA Board of Governors and National President, Institute of Public Administration Australia (contributing report author)

Brisbane - Thursday, 6 November 2014

Speakers:

  • Professor John Cole, University of Southern Queensland (contributing report author)
  • Jennifer Menzies, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Griffith University (contributing report author)
  • Malcolm Roberts, Chairman, Queensland Competition Authority

Adelaide - Tuesday, 11 November, 2014

Speakers:

  • The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Judge, High Court of Australia
  • Jennifer Menzies, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Griffith University (contributing report author)
  • Dr Lynn Arnold AO, former Chief Executive Officer, Anglicare SA

Watch videos from this event