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Conferences and events

Intergovernmental Relations 2009 – A Practical Approach in a Changing Landscape

Rydges Lakeside Canberra Hotel, 21-22 July 2009 Link to website

CAF Secretary Jenny Menzies, as well as Intergovernmental Relations representatives from WA and SA are listed among the distinguished speakers. Ms Menzies will discuss the role of the Council for the Australian Federation (CAF) in supporting and enhancing the federal system, by:

  • providing an intergovernmental forum for state and territory leaders in Australia
  • improving cooperation between governments
  • developing and implementing practical measures to support cooperative federalism.

Global Dialogue on Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Countries

University of Technology Sydney, 31 March 2009

Facilitated by the Forum of Federations in association with the International Association of Centers of Federal Studies, this event brought together a variety of academics and practitioners to discuss a range of themes.

The Global Dialogue program creates ongoing opportunities for practitioners, scholars and professionals to share their experiences and academic research and to produce enduring comparative resources about current and emerging issues in federalism.

Further information is available from the UTS website

Australian Federalism: Rescue or Reform - 2008 IPAA National Roundtable

Tenterfield, NSW, 23-25 October 2008

A conference and roundtable on the future of Australia's federal system of government.

ANZSOG (Australia and New Zealand School of Government) National Conference - Making Federalism Work

Melbourne, 11-12 September 2008. Link to pdf

See ANZSOG News Issue 2, 2008

Federalism conference. Menzies Research Centre, Melbourne

21 August 2008 Link to HTML

Speakers focused on legal, service delivery, power and financing issues, the Rudd Government’s response; international experience, etc. Keynote Address by Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson (Facing Future Challenges: The Future of our Federation).

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

June 2008

Reforming our Constitution: A Roundtable Discussion

Chapter 2: Altering the Constitution. Link to PDF (121 KB)

Chapter 4: Federal-State Relations. Link to PDF (158 KB)

The Future of Federalism

International Conference, Brisbane, 10-12 July 2008

Academy of Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) and the Institute of Public Administration of Australia

Australia 2020 Summit

Parliament House, Canberra, May 2008

The Future of Australian Governance, Theme 9: Create a modern federation.

Recommendations from this stream of the 2020 Summit included:

  • Reinvigorate the federation to enhance Australian democracy and make it work for all Australians by reviewing the roles, responsibilities, functions, structures and financial arrangements at all levels of governance (including courts and the non-profit sector) by 2020.

    A three-stage process was proposed with:

    • an expert commission to propose a new mix of responsibilities
    • a convention of the people, informed by the commission and by a process of deliberative democracy
    • implementation by intergovernmental cooperation or referendum.
  • Drive effective intergovernmental collaboration by establishing a national cooperation commission to register, monitor and resolve disputes concerning intergovernmental agreements.
  • Engage the Australian community in the development of an ambitious long-term national strategic plan that delivers results.

Final Report of the 2020 Summit Link to pdf

Fixing Federalism Roundtable

Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney, 5 May 2008

Proceedings published in:

Carling R, ed (2008). Where to for Australian Federalism. Papers presented at the ‘Fixing Federalism’ Roundtable. St Leonards, NSW: Centre for Independent Studies.

Principles of a Modern Federal Community

Adelaide, 26-27 May 2008

Hosted by the University of Adelaide, Schools of Economics, Law, History and Politics

Fourth International Conference on Federalism

New Delhi, India, 5-7 November 2007 Link to website

The Fourth International Conference on Federalism drew a record 1300 participants from 116 countries.

Policy Roundtable on Federalism

University of Canberra, 17-18 May 2007

Proceedings published in a special Federalism Symposium issue of the Australian Journal of Public Administration — Vol 66 No 3, 2007.