The " States " Hinder Progress !

It is beginning to look like Britain will leaver the European Union next month without a formal deal in place because despite years of wrangling the two sides have not been able to reach agreement on terms that would be mutually acceptable.

The banding together of European countries into the European Union was supposed to bring economic prosperity and an end to the internal wars that roiled the continent for centuries.  As part of that union, it was expected that a common law would evolve but that quickly became the major part of disagreements.  The rulings of the International Court of Justice was the pivot point  for many British people to vote for independence when the EU issue came to a referendum.

Of course Britain is the consolidation of several independent countries within its own borders.  It's " Union Jack " flag is an amalgamation of the flags of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and all of these are guilty of fighting wars against one another in earlier centuries.  It is also looking likely that Britain will become " unglued "  with at least Scotland leaving the United Kingdom if another referendum becomes a reality.

That situation is applicable to Australia.  Federation here was the amalgamation of various independent British colonies with each sheltering much of local practices within state borders.  The jurisdiction of criminal law, education, commerce and housing were state issues that were decided by a state legislature elected within a state franchise.  Those laws have been edging towards uniformity as the movement of people between states grows in volume.

Perhaps the biggest and most important clash between the states and their Federal government has come as a result of this virus pandemic and the need to close businesses and send people into isolation.  The closure of movement across state borders is a state issue and political considerations are keeping borders closed against the advice of the Federal government.

It is quite clear to many people that Australia needs uniformity in its education curriculum. The fact that each state is completely different in its approach to learning causes confusion when children experience a state change.  It can be argued that control of state borders would be better served in the Federal realm.  The Federal government is tasked with defence of the country and border control falls within that jurisdiction.

The movement of people across state borders will have a big impact on both the economic recovery and the balance of population growth.  This virus contamination has slowed the movement of people world wide and it is obvious that visitors will not help pick our fruit crops.  It is important that the Australian work force has the freedom of movement to achieve that objective.

There will be a high degree of resistance to the lessening of state powers, but the states have served their purpose and this pandemic has completely altered the economic situation.  It is the deep pockets of the Federal government which is providing the sustenance that is keeping wage earners and businesses from economic ruin and that will need to continue long into the future.

It is essential that Canberra be equipped with the right tools to be able to do the job properly.