The Pros And Cons Of The Council Of Australian Governments

Although the six states joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia, they still each retain the power to make their own laws over matters not controlled by the Commonwealth under Section 51 of the Constitution. State governments also have their own constitutions, as well as a structure of legislature, executive and judiciary. But, as law and its administration become more complicated, members of the federal, state and local executives are required to work together in order to solve problems. In 1992 the federal government established the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), which includes the Prime Minister, state premiers, chief ministers and the president of the Australian Local Government Association, who meet twice a year to discuss intergovernmental matters. In 2008 the federal government set up the Australian Council for Local Government, so it could work directly with local government as well.

Ministers from the different levels of government also work together on matters of common concern. For example, the Australian Health Ministers'

Originally, federation was formed because particular areas such as free trade, defence and immigration were less complicated if it were to have a staple law for every colony. At present, the social and political issues are still relevant and it is a common belief that the commonwealth is better equipped to handle these situations. For example defence is an area in which commonwealth ‘ownership’ is crucial, infact it was a key element as to why federation happened. “The argument that a united defence force could better protect Australia was strengthened by a report released in 1889 by British Major-General Sir J. Bevan Edwards. It found that the colonies did not have enough soldiers, arms or even ammunition to adequately defend themselves. The report recommended a federal or centralised defence force be