Psmp Unit 1 – Reading Report – Federalism

Purpose To communicate the reader by outliningthe dialogue that took place at the ASSA/IPAA Federalism Rountable in May, 2007. Wanna summarises discussions on the -historic trajectory and present characteristics of Australian federalism -perceived shortcomings and challenges surrounding ourcurrent system of government -relevance of federalism both(prenominal) from an increasingly globalised national perspective and within a nation of shrimpy population and relative cultural homogeny and -various suggestions from those present to bring about meliorate. 77) Argument/Findings The subject articulates the collective findings of those present at the Roundtable. Wanna get downs comment on near primary(prenominal) themes that emanated e. g. whilst considerable faith was placed in a clearer demarcation of governmental roles and responsibilities to address federalisms perceived current malaise, Wanna notes there was vigor put forward to firmly support this assumption and consequentlyq uestions the true expense of articulating and clarifying roles and responsibilities.The Paper highlightsthe Roundtables observationthat numerous federal nations lose tended towards centralization in recent times, coupled with declines in regional and localised personal identity it predicted a gravitation of national get it ons to the Commonwealth level and a transpose of regional and service delivery issues towards State governments over the next 20 years.There was consensus that greater trust, strategic pragmatism and improved intergovernmental relations were needed to reform federalism and provide enhanced policy outcomes for the Australian community. (149) Evidence The Paper provides a firsthand summary of discussion, findings and suggestions from a Roundtable of politicians, senior soil and federal public servants, and academics, supported by background information papers from credible sources. (32) Observations The Paper is a record of a collective discussion, notan argu mentative essay. The does not, nor does it suggest to be, a balanced view of federalism in a broader or historical sense. -Roundtables by their very nature are high level and do not allow for drilling down to the finer details of an issue this is worth bearing in mind when considering the article as some of the context may have been overlooked in relation to the finer points made by participants. The Paperhighlights that federalism has by necessity proven to be a much more flexible and self-propelled system structure than was carely envisaged at its inceptionit could be argued that federalisms seeming robustness and changeability is altogether appropriate to what is now a highly changeable local, national and globalised community, condescension looking markedly different to what it may have first looked like at federation. -It is submitted that the need for greater levels of trust between levels of government to make federalism work is potentially made more challenging by the d ynamic of our two-party system of government. 185) Other relevant or related readings 1. Keddie, J. N and R. F. I. Smith. 2009, Leading from Below How Sub-National Governments Influence Policy Agendas. Australian Journal of humankind Administration, No. 68 Vol. 1, pp. 67-82. Rather than outlining a perceived malaise and drop in the relevance of the States in our federal system, Keddie& Smith argue that States have a responsibility to ensure they remain integral tobroader policy and decision-making agendas. (45) 2. Hollander, R. And H. Patapan. 2007, practical(a) Federalism Australian Federalism from Hawke to Howard. Australian Journal of Public Administration, Vol. 6 No. 3 pp. 280-297 The Hollander & Patapan article provides broader historical analysis that seeks to explain fundamental aspects of our system of federalism and conclusions on why the trend of centralisation has occurred. (30) 3. Parkin, A. 2003, The States, Federalism and Political Science A Fifty-Year Appraisal. A ustralian Journal of Public Administration, Vol. 62 No. 2, June, pp. 101-112 The Parkin Paper provides broader analysis of the state of federalism than both the Wanna and Hollander & Patapan articles, providing a fifty year appraisal of Australian governance from the States perspective. (32)