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Message from the Chair

The Hon
Kristina Keneally MP
Premier of New South Wales

Chair, Council for the Australian Federation
December 2009

Welcome to the website.

Here you can find out how Australia’s States and Territories are working together.

I am delighted to be the Council’s Chair this year.

Priorities for the coming year are to:

build on our joint efforts to reduce and respond to climate change
enhance Australia’s productivity and promote innovation
promote the benefits of cooperative federalism.

The Council for the Australian Federation is a forum for States and Territories to share good ideas and solve common problems.

Through the Council, States and Territories can present a unified position to the Commonwealth Government on issues like taxation, health and school reforms.

The Council’s approach is founded on cooperative federalism.

The results of this are seen clearly in the Council’s focus on reducing the causes and impact of climate change.

It commissioned the Garnaut report, which has laid a foundation for Australia to respond to climate change.

It is now preparing for greater use of electric cars, as industry expects clean cars to become popular very quickly.

By making sure safety standards and electricity supplies are ready, the Council will be helping Australian families reduce their impact on the environment.

I look forward to leading the Council this year to deliver on this and many other projects.