This original and provocative study of federalism identifies a new pattern of intergovernmental relations in Australia. Through his general discussion of the nature of the Australian federal system, and close analysis of recent developments in Australian politics and policy-making, Martin Painter argues that our federal system is being fundamentally reshaped as state and Commonwealth governments cooperate more closely than ever before on joint policy-making schemes. Much of this collaboration has been prompted by the need for microeconomic reform in the 1990s, and increasing concern about the degree of overlap, inefficiency and duplication across the federal system.While the author acknowledges that federalism may be the problem as much as the solution, he also argues that the current uncertainty about federalism gives us the opportunity to reflect on the kind of federal system we want. Although federal traditions of dual government are still strong, and the emergence of collaborative federalism is being contested, these new institutions are likely to become an increasingly familiar part of the federal landscape.… (more)
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