New Federalism

The Hon Peter Costello MP
Treasurer
of the Commonwealth of Australia

Dear Mr Costello,

Now that you are about to nationalise the State controlled Ports into a single National Ports Authority for the country's economic benefit, having already created the National Electricity Grid, the inland waterways would make a sensible target. Its been a long time since the waterways were used as transport routes given we now have national highways and rail links. You know and I know, it has been over 100 years since States could tax goods passing from one state to the next.

Also, how come England & Wales have a single combined Torrens land database but our State mandarins would argue we need to maintain eight provincial based databases? For that matter why haven't you combined the vehicle registration databases. Wouldn't that mean significant savings in overhead and the ability to track all those stolen vehicles. I believe our crime fighters understand the benefits of tracking criminal suspects when there is a little bit of interstate co-operation. This is not a complete list as you are probably hard working on the realignment of State boundaries into more relevant economic zones. When you have completed the above you have my vote. Anyhow, thanks for putting the issue back on the table.

Or perhaps these are the simple issues that we put to a referendum. Let the public decide.

1. Should the ports be under Commonwealth or State control?


2. Should inland waterways be under Commonwealth control?


3. Should we have a National Land & Property Register?


4. Should we have a National Vehicle Register?

Always happy to offer some unsolicited advice and support,

Yours Faithfully

Link to Age Article by William Birnbauer 06 August 2006
'Crazy' State System costing us billions