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Message from the Chair

The Honourable
Jay Weatherill MP

Premier of South Australia

Chair, Council for the Australian Federation

Welcome to the website for the Council for the Australian Federation (CAF).

This is where you can find out more about decisions, actions and commitments taken by state and territory governments as a ‘united front’ on key national policy issues.

CAF consists of state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers. It was first formed in 2006. South Australia was instrumental in establishing CAF and former South Australian Premier Mike Rann was the inaugural Chair. CAF meets from time to time to discuss and resolve important issues independently of the Commonwealth.

CAF's current objectives are to:

  • work toward common understanding of the states' and territories' positions in relation to policy issues involving the Commonwealth Government
  • take a leadership role on key national policy issues, including the Federation, that are not addressed by the Commonwealth Government.

A key to CAF's effectiveness is all states and territories working together. This brings the best out of Australia's ‘federated’ system – one in which Federal and state governments can – and do - work together constructively in the interests of Australian citizens.

A valuable feature of CAF is that it gives all states and territories a ‘seat at the table’ and an equal voice on critical matters in the national spotlight. This broadly reflects the way Federal Parliament's Senate is structured, with its equal representation for all.

I am extremely proud to have this opportunity to be the second South Australian to lead CAF.