Much as we'd like to the chances of getting rid of state governments, the oldest form of government in Australia, are about zero. And to emasculate them by starving them of money and removing their traditional functions (school education, transport, health, infrastructure development, etc.) isn't solving the problem. Any duplication of government services has been implemented by the federal government over the last 40 years. Max Walsh wrote in the 90s there was about $5/6bn wasted annually on over-servicing by governments due to duplication. There's a lot to be said for the American system where state governemts know exactly what they're supposed to deliver and the federal goverment doesn't interfere.
Mind you, at the moment I'd be in favour of a coup in Macquarie Street led by anyone from Canberra.
The NSW state premier is little more than a glorified Lord Mayor of Metropolitan Sydney, and the state government little more than the Metropolitan Sydney council.
If it does not occur in the Wollongong-Sydney-Blue Mountains-Newcastle area, they don't care.
Same with all the state governments.
As much as I don't trust Canberra, it is time to have a 21st century form of government in australia. The current model is crap.
Almost 1/2 billion dollars on the Sydney-Balmain Metro project for no return. Bravo. No one bats an eyelid. State Stuff up.
How much has been wasted on the Schools Building programme, and the botched Home insulation scheme? combined Federal and State stuff up.
What about the billion dollar desal plant finished just in time for the rains to come and fill the dams? State Stuff up.
How much does Defence have to waste? Hardly a week goes by without some new revelation of misuse, corruption, or waste from that department.
Has anyone driven past that farmers paddock just outside Bungendore, where Defence has spent about 2 billion dollars on a new palace? Federal Stuff up.
The Democrats have disappeared in a cloud of their own misinformed view of their relevance, and the greens aren't keeping them honest and look set to follow the grand example set by the Democrats.
The Coalition and Labor are as bad as each other.
It has been said "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach". This is horribly unfair to a very honourable profession.
I reckon it should be "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach enter Politics".
Don't vote, it only encourages them. Vote informal and send a message to the bastards.