Reforming Federalism: A Proposal for Strengthening the Australian Federation

The drafters of Australia’s Constitution favoured federalism due to its recognised advantages in providing for individual choice and checking concentration of power. However, the massive shift of power to the centre over these years has meant that many of the advantages of federalism are no longer realised. Australia’s federalism is clearly no longer working. Unless the federal structure undergoes a formal reform, some of the most important advantages of Australia’s federalism may eventually disappear. This article thus provides practical solutions aiming at strengthening the manifold advantages of federalism for Australia.