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Australia has too many politicians, so let's do away with the states. Why not?
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Dear ,
Did you know that some of the most successful countries in the world are federations?
The USA, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, to name a few. Oh, and Australia. I don't know the politics of those other countries as well as I know ours here, but I don't hear calls to abolish their states.
So why do we hear those calls here? (Including from some of our members).
This monograph explores how our federation performed during COVID. My views are pretty well-known - that we threw away a good manual to lockdown, and then it was one mistake after another. But when you drill down, some jurisdictions performed much better than others.
Imagine if Mark McGowan or Daniel Andrews were running a unitary Australia during the COVID pandemic?
Brendan Markey-Towler compares and contrasts the performance of the states and comes to the conclusion that federation didn't make things perfect, but it made them better than it could have been. Maybe if we had a Ron De Santis, who applied rational, scientifically-based policies in Florida, as one of our premiers, things would have been even better, but at least we had Gladys Berejiklian.
Brendan is unavailable to launch this paper, so the honours will be done by noted Queensland economist, Gene Tunny. If you can't come, but would like a copy of the monograph, it can be purchased for $10 by clicking here.
The launch will be in our offices, Unit 2B, 50 Logan Road, on Monday June 12 at 7:30 pm. Cost $25 general; $15 student with $5 discount for AIP members. Includes copy of the monograph. To book, click here.
Look forward to seeing you here.
Regards, GRAHAM YOUNG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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