[LINK] The PLAN, and broadband speeds?

[Stewart Fist]

Howard wrote
> 
> Having worked casually for the AEC for over 25 years I am appalled at
> the level of ignorance of electoral matters by the vast majority of
> Australian voters.  Many have no idea that we have three levels of
> government - one too many IMO.


I've never understood the desire to get rid of either local or state
government.

We constantly complain about the distance between the governors and the
governed, and yet we want to increase that distance by having only two
levels.

When you break down the size of the political level, you also reduce the
size of the bureaucracy.

Personally, I would like to add a fourth regional level for some functions.


Then I'd like to devolve some of the federal functions to the states, and
state functions to the regions and local.  Control of hospitals should be at
a regional level -- provided they get the appropriate funding (maybe direct
from Canberra, not via the State governments).

---

The Americans have a very viable and active local government level which
handles education and a whole lot of other stuff ... stuff that we dump on
the states and federal governments with their massive bureaucracies

----

I'd also like to see more integration between these levels.

I see no reason why the functions of the State Upper House aren't performed
by those politicians elected by the State to the Federal House and Senate,
sitting together -- for instance.

What we need, is to reform the local councils, and give them something
useful to do other than act as obstacles or mouthpieces for developers.

Telecommunications might be a good start.  I see no reason why local and
shire councils can't provide telecommunications systems at the hardware
level.


-- 
Stewart Fist, writer, journalist, film-maker
70 Middle Harbour Road, LINDFIELD, 2070, NSW, Australia
Ph +61 (2) 9416 7458