John Wanna's Analysis

Write a critical essay about Federalism on the following topic:
Discussing the outcome of a Roundtable discussion of federalism in Australia, John Wanna reported that "...all three levels of government - Commonwealth, state/territory and local - tended to see federalism as a malaise, not as a source of effective government" (Wanna 2007: 276).
What might be the reasons for this negative view of our system of government? What steps might be taken to overcome it?

Wanna aims to both inform and persuade readers with his representation of outcomes from the round table discussions on Federalism. John Wanna has examined the roles and outcomes of the Australian federalism model as both dysfunctional, lacking clear useable guideline’s and
destined for failure in its current form. The negative view of the author portrays the views of the round table through a narrow minded, one sided approach.
Wanna’s approach to federalism seems to be guided by his belief that federalism has lost its place in our current society, that we as a nation have moved past the reigns and constraints of federalism.
His reading serves to persuade his readers and his quite politicized, and as such focuses heavily on the disadvantages and limitations of our current system.
Wanna shares similar believes with Galligan in that federalism’s purpose is to enshrine institutional processes, to guarantee citizens and groups the right to pursue their own happiness, and to restrict governments from legislating happiness schemes’ (Galligan 1995:45).
Dr Alan Fenna compared the Australian variation of federalism as both out-dated but somewhat useable in Australia in comparison to other countries. ‘While federalism has taken on a new lease of life in recent times, finding expression in or among previous unitary states, it has not been thriving in existing federations (Fenna 2007).
Federalism appears to be a mode of structuring relationships between all agencies and political parties to ensure open and transparency in the way we conduct
business.
The decline in popularity of federalism may be associated to the underwhelming and limited powers being expressed in the lower levels of state and local Government. The apparent way in which government are trending towards limiting powers of the state and local government, keeping the overarching control in their centralised model has given little faith to the local and state bodies. The Commonwealth and states must address the division of responsibilities between each level of Government to see the return of a truly adaptive model.

Perhaps the trend associated with centralising the decision making can be seen as a way to improve business. A cost benefit with the way in which decisions and policy can be implemented and a way to shape decision making vs politics at a higher level. History suggests that world factors, politics and their likes have the potential not the intention to change the way a federal government operates. Everything outside of the constitution has the ability to be influenced and/or changed. The belief could be seen as Federalism has or is becoming an ineffective way to conduct business. It is often seen as a constraint to policy development. A more modern and effective approached needs to be undertaken in order to maintain a level of government seen to be effective in their duties.

Interestingly are the distinct variations of federalism over the last 90 odd years.
How is it we see a distinct change in how federalism is portrayed and influenced with every new style of government? The way problems and politics have influenced federalism suggests that the manipulation of politics and world influences in fact changes the fundamentals and delivery of a federal model. It is apparent that a federal model 90 years ago represents little of what the new and emerging models are or may become. Between both major political parties we have seen a separation in the way our federal nation would operate. Federalism has been strongly shaped by party ideology and platforms. (Hollander and Papatan 2007) suggest that the changes in our federalism model is keeping the cutting edge of reform, finally seeing the progress being made towards a better way to conduct business. Difficulties with effecting reform will be that someone has to lose out. Both involve trade-offs of efficiency with equity and will face opposition by those adversely affected.

Have we outgrown the structures of federalism, have we not moved with the time of how a federal nation operates or are the emerging influences of the world’s economies and problems a direct influence of our current system?
While there is some agreement that the federal system in Australia works, it is clear that there is much work to be done before it can be considered a functional and efficient system of government. Until the Commonwealth
and State governments can agree on a truly cooperative form of federalism, and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each level of government, we will continue to fight hurdles and experience hindrance on the road to progress and reform.

References

Fenna, A. Sept 2006. ‘What use is Federalism Anyway.’ Australasian Political Studies Association conference University of Newcastle.

Galligan, B. 1995. A Federal Republic: Australia’s constitutional system of government. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hollander, R &Patapan, H. 2007. ‘Pragmatic Federalism: Australian Federalism from Hawke to Howard: The Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol.66, no 3, pp. 280-297

Urin, D

Wanna, J. Sept 2007. ‘Improving Federalism: The Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 275–279’