Australian politics can only be properly understood through an awareness of the federal structure.
The essence of federalism is a division of powers between the Federal government and the six State governments. When the federation was formed in 1901 the original states retained their existing constitutions and powers other than those transferred to the federal government.
The federal government is also referred to as the Commonwealth government, the national government, the central government or the Australian government. Its powers are set out in Section 51 of the Constitution.
In practice, the powers of the federal government have been expanded through decisions of the High Court.
The federal government has also gained financial dominance over the States, especially since the States transferred their income taxing powers to Canberra in the 1940s.
Archived Posts
- Morrison National Cabinet Meeting Briefing: Bringing Australians Home September 18, 2020
- Statement on National Cabinet Discussions September 4, 2020
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s National Cabinet Press Conference: An Evolving Federation September 4, 2020
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison Press Conference Following National Cabinet Meeting August 21, 2020
- Tony Abbott Regrets Hyper-Partisanship In Speech To Samuel Griffith Society August 12, 2016
- Abbott, Pragmatic Nationalist, Proposes Modest Reform Of Federation October 25, 2014
- COAG Discussions Focus On Terrorism, Federation And Taxation October 10, 2014
- Premiers Rebel Over Federal Budget Cuts; Demand COAG Meeting Before July 1 May 18, 2014
- COAG Agreement On Indigenous Truancy And One-Stop Shops For Projects December 13, 2013
- Education Ministers Speak Out On Pyne’s School Funding Announcement November 29, 2013
- Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings At The National Press Club February 20, 2013
- Full Text Of COAG Communique December 7, 2012
- Gillard Claims Progress On NDIS And Power Prices Following COAG Meeting December 7, 2012
- John Brumby Appointed To Chair COAG Reform Council December 7, 2012
- Gillard Announces Royal Commision Into Child Sexual Abuse November 12, 2012
- Gillard Tackles Electricity Prices August 7, 2012
- As NSW And Victoria Offer NDIS Money, A Political Win For Gillard July 27, 2012
- Baillieu Offers Extra Funds For NDIS Trial In Victoria July 27, 2012
- Coalition Premiers Opt Out Of NDIS Trial; COAG Fractures July 25, 2012
- A High Court Challenge To The Murray-Darling Water Plan? May 28, 2012
- State Treasurers Not Impressed After Meeting With Swan April 4, 2012
- Julia Gillard Meets With Campbell Newman March 31, 2012
- Senate Committee Proposes Reform Of Australian Federation June 30, 2011
- COAG Meets In Shadow Of Global Financial Crisis October 2, 2008
- COAG Chief Ministers’ Press Conference July 3, 2008
- Business Council Calls For New Commonwealth-States Contract October 28, 2006
- BCA Booklet: Reshaping Australia’s Federation October 28, 2006
- COAG Meeting: Chief Ministers’ Press Conference July 14, 2006
- Federal Links With Local Government Will Grow: Howard November 10, 2004
- Federalism: Canberra And South Australia Act On Murray River March 18, 2004
- Madrid Bombings Prompt Meeting Of Counter Terrorism Committee March 14, 2004
- COAG Meeting Reaches Water Agreement But State Leaders Walk Out Over Health August 29, 2003
- Beattie Says Premiers Must Fight ‘Un-Australian’ Health System May 2, 2003
- Council Of Australian Governments Joint Press Conference on Stem Cell Research April 5, 2002
- Council Of Australian Governments Communique April 5, 2002
- Howard Announces Federal Government Attack on Gambling December 16, 1999
- Howard Announces National Approach To Problem Gambling December 16, 1999
- Premiers’ Conference: Howard and Costello Press Conference April 9, 1999
- Agreement on Reform of Commonwealth-State Financial Relations April 9, 1999
