From GST to gambling to gun buybacks, Australia’s federation isn’t working

GST distribution. National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms. Data centre regulation. The national gun buyback. These are just some of the big policy challenges the federal government is trying to navigate with the states and territories, many of which were raised at this week’s meeting of National Cabinet. Corralling the premiers and chief ministers around a specific legislative agenda has long been a challenge. But Australia’s federation – one of the oldest and most stable in the world –…