In defence of federalism: Why it’s okay when federal and state governments fight

ON THE 3 MAY episode of Insiders, Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan declared Victoria’s refusal to reopen schools a “failure of leadership”. While he later withdrew the comment, it was just one of many salvos launched in the war of words between federal and state governments over how best to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, there’s nothing new about conflict between the levels of government. Take, for example, the battle between the federal and Tasmanian governments over the damming of the Franklin River from 1978-1983. More recently, then Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg and South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill duelled over South Australia’s renewable energy program.