"Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition.

Are we over-governed in Australia?

Probably.

I also think we're seeing another issue of the federal/state divide over the last year in that its too easy for state or feds to pass the buck by saying its the others responsibility

A lot of those public servants are not pollies. They are postal workers and transport workers etc etc. . . .

If there were no local or state govts who would oversea all the state things like hospitals and roads etc? The main govt in canberra handles NONE of those things.

Spot

Gazza wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 10:45am:

"Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia?

2,046,000 public servants nationally.

:o :o :o :o :o :o

Bobby. wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 4:16pm:

Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? 2,046,000 public servants nationally. :o :o :o :o :o :o

Yep ,teachers, nurses, doctors, posties. Want to get rid of those?>

Gazza wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 10:45am:

"Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia?

I did a thread on this just a few weeks ago

In the 21st century we have no need for 3 tiers of government.

many people are actually governed by 5 levels of government when the upper houses are considered

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 4:17pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 4:16pm: Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? 2,046,000 public servants nationally. :o :o :o :o :o :o Yep ,teachers, nurses, doctors, posties. Want to get rid of those?>

If you actually read the petition you would be better informed.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 4:17pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 4:16pm: Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? 2,046,000 public servants nationally. :o :o :o :o :o :o Yep ,teachers, nurses, doctors, posties. Want to get rid of those?>

How many are pen pushers and seat polishers?

Bobby. wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 4:23pm:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 4:17pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 4:16pm: Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? 2,046,000 public servants nationally. :o :o :o :o :o :o Yep ,teachers, nurses, doctors, posties. Want to get rid of those?> How many are pen pushers and seat polishers?

Even they do work.

Gazza wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 10:45am:

"Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia?

Sure we are overgoverned. One leader could achieve the same thing. But then he'd start shooting anyone who tried to overthrow him.

I love this State v State level of Politics. It's raw, its new and it's ramping up. QLD v NSW showdown soon, the Girls are gonna go at it. :)

Good, good. Everything is going according to plan.
The States have become divisive and more independent of each other and together, more so from the Federal. Maybe in 50 years those States will fracture into small Independent 'Nations' of their own. It 'might' turn out like Yugoslavia in some cases as they fight over their territories. These things happen.
I told yas.  ;)

---

freediver wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 6:11pm:

Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? Sure we are overgoverned. One leader could achieve the same thing. But then he'd start shooting anyone who tried to overthrow him.

Come on...we need at least two!

The recent Covid-19 crisis has actually shown the effectiveness of federalism.

If Australia were a unitary state then the entire country would be shutting down, rather than each individual state. This means that Western Australia doesn't have to pay for the stupidity of Victoria.

And secondly, would you be willing to give Peter Dutton police powers?

Auggie wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 7:10pm:

The recent Covid-19 crisis has actually shown the effectiveness of federalism. If Australia were a unitary state then the entire country would be shutting down, rather than each individual state. This means that Western Australia doesn't have to pay for the stupidity of Victoria. And secondly, would you be willing to give Peter Dutton police powers?

Why would the entire country need to shut down? Chairman Dan started with postcode shut-downs, but went statewide after bungling hotel quarantine.

Do you feel comfortable giving the Chief Medical Officer police powers?

Gazza wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 6:36pm:

freediver wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 6:11pm: Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? Sure we are overgoverned. One leader could achieve the same thing. But then he'd start shooting anyone who tried to overthrow him. Come on...we need at least two!

Fair enough, but only if we halve their salary.

Gazza wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 7:51pm:

Why would the entire country need to shut down?

If not for States, then how would a single government quarantine part of the country and not the other? That's the benefit of federalism, random circles are drawn in Australia and governments within those circles have control over those circles.

Auggie wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 8:41pm:

Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 7:51pm: Why would the entire country need to shut down? If not for States, then how would a single government quarantine part of the country and not the other? That's the benefit of federalism, random circles are drawn in Australia and governments within those circles have control over those circles.

Just like local government, right?

Auggie wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 8:41pm:

Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 7:51pm: Why would the entire country need to shut down? If not for States, then how would a single government quarantine part of the country and not the other? That's the benefit of federalism, random circles are drawn in Australia and governments within those circles have control over those circles.

How do you know it wouldn't have worked better without state boundaries?

Why not 8 Political Leaders to choose from to head all of them pending the crises and leader needed?

Say we had to vote a PM from all the Premiers and that PM was a representative of all of them. They do a good job or they get sacked.

Either way. Politics as a 'People' fails in the Northern Hemisphere - especially when they are not all forced to Vote and have a Right not to adhere to anything Political anyway.
Northern Politics NEVER puts the People first and the People as an En Mass seem to prefer other things like Art or Religion under the Political umbrella.

The only thing Politics empowers in North America is the position of the President. It's purely an 'Individual' enterprise.

Jasin wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 6:20pm:

I love this State v State level of Politics. It's raw, its new and it's ramping up. QLD v NSW showdown soon, the Girls are gonna go at it. :)

almost right jasin... its States v Fed Govt... now...take a close look at fat annas Qld rules   where there is one for footy ceos..and players who frolic round the bars and pools living like kings in 5 star accommodation..

plus their families of course....


and us the regular people have to PAY for their probably 2 star accommodation even if they have their own home down the road...

shes a deadset arsehole....and proud of it.

freediver wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 9:30pm:

Auggie wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 8:41pm: Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 7:51pm: Why would the entire country need to shut down? If not for States, then how would a single government quarantine part of the country and not the other? That's the benefit of federalism, random circles are drawn in Australia and governments within those circles have control over those circles. How do you know it wouldn't have worked better without state boundaries?

If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. With federalism it's different.

Gazza wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 8:44pm:

Auggie wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 8:41pm: Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 7:51pm: Why would the entire country need to shut down? If not for States, then how would a single government quarantine part of the country and not the other? That's the benefit of federalism, random circles are drawn in Australia and governments within those circles have control over those circles. Just like local government, right?

Local government has too few powers or responsibilities and resources to enact effective quarantine - the polity has to be big enough that it has enough resources to deal with these issues and not too big that spills over to other polities.

Your title has one too many 'S's in it....

S Crap state governments!

Auggie wrote on Sep 4^th, 2020 at 10:39pm:

freediver wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 9:30pm: Auggie wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 8:41pm: Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 7:51pm: Why would the entire country need to shut down? If not for States, then how would a single government quarantine part of the country and not the other? That's the benefit of federalism, random circles are drawn in Australia and governments within those circles have control over those circles. How do you know it wouldn't have worked better without state boundaries? If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. With federalism it's different.

Sure you can. Just draw a circle around each outbreak. That's what is happening now.

How do you know it wouldn't have worked better without state boundaries?


Quote:

the polity has to be big enough that it has enough resources to deal with these issues and not too big that spills over to other polities

How big is that?

The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 4:19pm:

Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? I did a thread on this just a few weeks ago In the 21st century we have no need for 3 tiers of government. many people are actually governed by 5 levels of government when the upper houses are considered

Agreed!

Auggie wrote on Sep 4^th, 2020 at 10:39pm:

If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state.

Yes you can, and it's already been happening in Victoria for months now. Metropolitan Melbourne are on stage 4, regional Victoria are on stage 3. Before that Melbourne Metro and Mitchell shire were on stage 3 and the rest of Victoria wasn't.

Currently we are seeing the farcical situation where border communities (with no cases of covid) are being split in 2. Mildura is actually closer to Adelaide and has had no cases of Covid, but because it is part of Victoria it is in stage 3 lockdown.

Premiers seem to be having a competition on who can keep their borders closed the longest, because no one ever lost populist votes by appearing tough.

When given the opportunity or responsibility - the State Governments exhibit quite a lot of independence from one another. Pauline Hanson's One Nation of boring generalisation is fading fast. There was a time when they were very different - only Victoria had Australian Rules, before SA & WA adopted it  to a slightly lesser effect, for the GF was never played in their States (and still not, which has peeved WA in regards to QLD getting it).

The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 11:38am:

Auggie wrote on Sep 4th, 2020 at 10:39pm: If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. Yes you can, and it's already been happening in Victoria for months now. Metropolitan Melbourne are on stage 4, regional Victoria are on stage 3. Before that Melbourne Metro and Mitchell shire were on stage 3 and the rest of Victoria wasn't. Currently we are seeing the farcical situation where border communities (with no cases of covid) are being split in 2. Mildura is actually closer to Adelaide and has had no cases of Covid, but because it is part of Victoria it is in stage 3 lockdown. Premiers seem to be having a competition on who can keep their borders closed the longest, because no one ever lost populist votes by appearing tough.

and the Nacht und Nebel decree is in place for dissenters and opinion posters...

Gazza wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2020 at 10:45am:

"Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia?

Can you think of another scheme that would allow for the employment of so many absolutely useless people ?

Dnarever wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 2:22pm:

Gazza wrote on Sep 3rd, 2020 at 10:45am: "Australian States and Territories comprise 610 politicians, duplicating the activities of 227 federal politicians. Australians support a further 537 local governments. We have approximately 7,700 elected politicians in Federal, State, and Local government, and we have 2,046,000 public servants nationally...Modern Australia is over-governed and in need of a overhaul. We need to scrap state governments.", Change.org petition. Are we over-governed in Australia? Can you think of another scheme that would allow for the employment of so many absolutely useless people ?

No. We are under-governed considerably. If Politics was a 'race' - then I'm sure you would want the majority of the population as 'political' as can be. Or do you prefer Chinese and 'their' Sport?

Just imagine - a nation filled with millions of little white Kevin Rudds and Milky Boy kids. :D

The Federated States of Australia.

Makes more sense to unwind the federation and remove the Federal government. Most of our problems come from here.

The state governments are out biggest defence against an authoritarian federal government going out of control.

Remember how the Liberals went off the rails after they won a majority in the senate, Howard showed himself to be an authoritarian leader. Imagine with no State governments to draw the line. Imagine a dummy Like Abbott in control of everything with no moderation.

freediver wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 8:57am:

Sure you can. Just draw a circle around each outbreak. That's what is happening now.

How big would the circle be?

The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 11:38am:

Auggie wrote on Sep 4th, 2020 at 10:39pm: If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. Yes you can, and it's already been happening in Victoria for months now. Metropolitan Melbourne are on stage 4, regional Victoria are on stage 3. Before that Melbourne Metro and Mitchell shire were on stage 3 and the rest of Victoria wasn't. Currently we are seeing the farcical situation where border communities (with no cases of covid) are being split in 2. Mildura is actually closer to Adelaide and has had no cases of Covid, but because it is part of Victoria it is in stage 3 lockdown. Premiers seem to be having a competition on who can keep their borders closed the longest, because no one ever lost populist votes by appearing tough.

Sure, that's in Victoria; but how would you enforce effective quarantine between each State? Would a person from stage 4 metropolitan Melbourne not be allowed to travel to Perth but a person from Mildura can? Isn't more efficient and better to say no one from Victoria can enter another State?

Auggie wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 5:19pm:

The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 11:38am: Auggie wrote on Sep 4th, 2020 at 10:39pm: If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. Yes you can, and it's already been happening in Victoria for months now. Metropolitan Melbourne are on stage 4, regional Victoria are on stage 3. Before that Melbourne Metro and Mitchell shire were on stage 3 and the rest of Victoria wasn't. Currently we are seeing the farcical situation where border communities (with no cases of covid) are being split in 2. Mildura is actually closer to Adelaide and has had no cases of Covid, but because it is part of Victoria it is in stage 3 lockdown. Premiers seem to be having a competition on who can keep their borders closed the longest, because no one ever lost populist votes by appearing tough. Sure, that's in Victoria; but how would you enforce effective quarantine between each State? Would a person from stage 4 metropolitan Melbourne not be allowed to travel to Perth but a person from Mildura can? Isn't more efficient and better to say no one from Victoria can enter another State?

Just make it north south east and west quadrants ?

Dnarever wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 5:24pm:

Auggie wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 5:19pm: The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 11:38am: Auggie wrote on Sep 4th, 2020 at 10:39pm: If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. Yes you can, and it's already been happening in Victoria for months now. Metropolitan Melbourne are on stage 4, regional Victoria are on stage 3. Before that Melbourne Metro and Mitchell shire were on stage 3 and the rest of Victoria wasn't. Currently we are seeing the farcical situation where border communities (with no cases of covid) are being split in 2. Mildura is actually closer to Adelaide and has had no cases of Covid, but because it is part of Victoria it is in stage 3 lockdown. Premiers seem to be having a competition on who can keep their borders closed the longest, because no one ever lost populist votes by appearing tough. Sure, that's in Victoria; but how would you enforce effective quarantine between each State? Would a person from stage 4 metropolitan Melbourne not be allowed to travel to Perth but a person from Mildura can? Isn't more efficient and better to say no one from Victoria can enter another State? Just make it north south east and west quadrants ?

And then what? Appoint a military governor over each quadrant to enforce different sets of laws over different quadrants?

Auggie wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 5:15pm:

freediver wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 8:57am: Sure you can. Just draw a circle around each outbreak. That's what is happening now. How big would the circle be?

Bigger than the size of the outbreak.


Auggie wrote on Sep 4^th, 2020 at 10:41pm:

Local government has too few powers or responsibilities and resources to enact effective quarantine - the polity has to be big enough that it has enough resources to deal with these issues and not too big that spills over to other polities.

How big is that?

Auggie wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 5:34pm:

Dnarever wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 5:24pm: Auggie wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 5:19pm: The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 11:38am: Auggie wrote on Sep 4th, 2020 at 10:39pm: If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. Yes you can, and it's already been happening in Victoria for months now. Metropolitan Melbourne are on stage 4, regional Victoria are on stage 3. Before that Melbourne Metro and Mitchell shire were on stage 3 and the rest of Victoria wasn't. Currently we are seeing the farcical situation where border communities (with no cases of covid) are being split in 2. Mildura is actually closer to Adelaide and has had no cases of Covid, but because it is part of Victoria it is in stage 3 lockdown. Premiers seem to be having a competition on who can keep their borders closed the longest, because no one ever lost populist votes by appearing tough. Sure, that's in Victoria; but how would you enforce effective quarantine between each State? Would a person from stage 4 metropolitan Melbourne not be allowed to travel to Perth but a person from Mildura can? Isn't more efficient and better to say no one from Victoria can enter another State? Just make it north south east and west quadrants ? And then what? Appoint a military governor over each quadrant to enforce different sets of laws over different quadrants?

I was Joking but you could have a federal minister for the NE, SW etc.

Why would you need different laws, you just dismantled the states and the police are obviously gone as part of that structure at this point you effectively have no laws or any way to enforce them if you did.

Auggie wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 5:15pm:

freediver wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 8:57am: Sure you can. Just draw a circle around each outbreak. That's what is happening now. How big would the circle be?

I prefer a 20c coin for most circles.

Auggie is under the delusion that without states, no-one could possibly dream up arbitrary geographical boundaries.

freediver wrote on Sep 6^th, 2020 at 12:34pm:

Auggie is under the delusion that without states, no-one could possibly dream up arbitrary geographical boundaries.

Put it this way, the fact that the Covid-19 crisis has not affected the entire country the same way and given that different States imposed different measures is a reminder of the benefit of federalism - that is, when something happens in one part of the country it is less likely to spill over to the another part of the country.

New Zealand went into full lockdown. Why didn't they draw circles and quarantine certain areas?

Dnarever wrote on Sep 6^th, 2020 at 12:22pm:

Auggie wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 5:34pm: Dnarever wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 5:24pm: Auggie wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 5:19pm: The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 5th, 2020 at 11:38am: Auggie wrote on Sep 4th, 2020 at 10:39pm: If there are no state boundaries, where does the government 'draw the line' when quarantining? You can't have one law for one part of the country and a different law for another part in a unitary state. Yes you can, and it's already been happening in Victoria for months now. Metropolitan Melbourne are on stage 4, regional Victoria are on stage 3. Before that Melbourne Metro and Mitchell shire were on stage 3 and the rest of Victoria wasn't. Currently we are seeing the farcical situation where border communities (with no cases of covid) are being split in 2. Mildura is actually closer to Adelaide and has had no cases of Covid, but because it is part of Victoria it is in stage 3 lockdown. Premiers seem to be having a competition on who can keep their borders closed the longest, because no one ever lost populist votes by appearing tough. Sure, that's in Victoria; but how would you enforce effective quarantine between each State? Would a person from stage 4 metropolitan Melbourne not be allowed to travel to Perth but a person from Mildura can? Isn't more efficient and better to say no one from Victoria can enter another State? Just make it north south east and west quadrants ? And then what? Appoint a military governor over each quadrant to enforce different sets of laws over different quadrants? I was Joking but you could have a federal minister for the NE, SW etc. Why would you need different laws, you just dismantled the states and the police are obviously gone as part of that structure at this point you effectively have no laws or any way to enforce them if you did.

You'd need different laws because you're effectively saying that people in the east quadrant can't travel to the west quadrant.

Auggie wrote on Sep 6^th, 2020 at 7:33pm:

freediver wrote on Sep 6th, 2020 at 12:34pm: Auggie is under the delusion that without states, no-one could possibly dream up arbitrary geographical boundaries. Put it this way, the fact that the Covid-19 crisis has not affected the entire country the same way and given that different States imposed different measures is a reminder of the benefit of federalism - that is, when something happens in one part of the country it is less likely to spill over to the another part of the country. New Zealand went into full lockdown. Why didn't they draw circles and quarantine certain areas?

Probably for the same reason Paramatta didn't.


Auggie wrote on Sep 4^th, 2020 at 10:41pm:

Local government has too few powers or responsibilities and resources to enact effective quarantine - the polity has to be big enough that it has enough resources to deal with these issues and not too big that spills over to other polities.

How big is that?

Auggie wrote on Sep 6^th, 2020 at 7:33pm:

freediver wrote on Sep 6th, 2020 at 12:34pm: Auggie is under the delusion that without states, no-one could possibly dream up arbitrary geographical boundaries. Put it this way, the fact that the Covid-19 crisis has not affected the entire country the same way and given that different States imposed different measures is a reminder of the benefit of federalism - that is, when something happens in one part of the country it is less likely to spill over to the another part of the country. New Zealand went into full lockdown. Why didn't they draw circles and quarantine certain areas?

They did.

In the recent outbreak Auckland went into a stricter lockdown than the rest of the country
And as I have already said, Victoria already has a 2 tiered system within the state.

It's not that hard. In fact it makes a lot more sense than sending distant towns like Mildura into lockdown simply because of the side of the Murray River they happen to be on.

Dnarever wrote on Sep 5^th, 2020 at 2:44pm:

The Federated States of Australia. Makes more sense to unwind the federation and remove the Federal government. Most of our problems come from here. The state governments are out biggest defence against an authoritarian federal government going out of control. Remember how the Liberals went off the rails after they won a majority in the senate, Howard showed himself to be an authoritarian leader. Imagine with no State governments to draw the line. Imagine a dummy Like Abbott in control of everything with no moderation.

Either we're a country, or we're not.