...INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN FEDERAL SYSTEMS 39 7.5| INDEPENDENCE The actions and decisions of intergovernmental relations must be free from undue influence from political or private interests. They must have high-level commitment. The Productivity Commission has a very important role in Australia’s economic competitiveness in identifying reform priorities for Australia, and conducting detailed research and making recommendations on potential solutions. The Productivity Commission’s contribution to the understanding of our federal system has been seen in a number of reports it has produced, including the recent compilation of materials from the 2006 Roundtable Proceedings in Canberra entitled Productive Reform in a Federal System. The Productivity Commission’s role in federal–state relations is limited however: + The research priorities are set by the Commonwealth Government (and therefore potentially guided by political interests of the day rather than long-term objectives) and there is limited opportunity for the Productivity Commission to set its own work priorities. + There is no ‘buy-in’ by the state governments (either in terms of the direction of the Productivity Commission’s work agenda, the funding of the Commission or the outcomes). + There is no requirement for the Commonwealth Government to respond to the reports of the Productivity Commission, and therefore less accountability for the findings. Two considerations...
Words: 6813 - Pages: 28
... Introduction 1 2 FEDERAL SYSTEMS 3 3 WHAT ARE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS? 4 4 AUSTRALIA’S FEDERATION – HOW IS IT OPERATING? 5 5 INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS 8 6 INTERNATIONAL FEDERAL SYSTEMS: A BRIEF OVERVIEW 9 7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 PRINCIPLES OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS EFFECTIVENESS TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY EFFICIENCY INDEPENDENCE 11 11 33 34 37 40 8 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 INTERGOVERNMENTAL FISCAL ARRANGEMENTS REVENUE RAISING SPENDING FISCAL EQUALISATION MONITORING POLICY 43 43 51 55 56 57 9 CONCLUSION 59 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN FEDERAL SYSTEMS INTRODUCTION 1| INTRODUCTION Australia, like many other systems of government around the world, is a federal system. Federations, while divided into different levels of government inevitably have a degree of interdependency between governments. Inescapably there arises a degree of conflict or ineffective governance. For example, disputes may arise between different governments on the basis of service provision or infrastructure, constitutional jurisdiction, fiscal arrangements (e.g. vertical fiscal imbalance or spending powers) or environmental or social issues. Most federations have developed a system of intergovernmental consultation and cooperation to deal with such issues, and to manage and foster cooperation between governments. The character of intergovernmental...
Words: 23183 - Pages: 93
...Assignment 1: What is Federalism? Cathy Meade POL 110- U.S. Government Professor Tracy Herman August 10, 2014 Federalism is the political system for local units of government (regional, provincial, state, and municipal). The units are secure and are a national government in making decisions on some government matters. Since the American federalism began 200 years ago, it has endured remarkable changes. Today, all governments -- federal, state and local -- play a greater role in the lives of their citizens, expectations about what kind of services and rights people want from government have changed, and relations among the federal, state and local governments have become infinitely more complex (Meyer, 2007). The 1st change that has evolved is Civil Rights. According, to the Supreme Court, 1993-1996 overview past debates and on how to remedy past crimination and equalize opportunities for African Americans, Hispanics and other minority groups. In a number of closely divided rulings, the Court limited efforts to create majority-minority congressional districts to help elect more blacks and Hispanics to Congress. It also adopted a stricter test against the use of racial preferences in awarding government contracts. In addition, the Court sent lower federal court judges a strong signal to move more quickly to get out of school desegregation cases and restore schools to local control. The dispute over racial redistricting stemmed from efforts by civil rights groups, minority...
Words: 939 - Pages: 4
...What is Federalism? Strayer University Debra Gordon To fulfill the requirements for POL110 Professor August 10, 2014 Abstract Federalism is an ideal structure of government for a nation whose citizens are divided by specific values or interests such as culture, distance or resources. In fact, federalism is a governmental system with different levels that are supreme or largely sovereign in different areas. In this essay, the main idea of federalism is described. In addition, advantages and disadvantages of federalism are identified throughout the essay. Moreover, the problems of government of a nation divided by culture, distance or resources are discussed. It is concluded that federal systems ought to distribute a balance of power between the general and constituent governments in order to fulfill different level requirements. Provide three (3) examples of how federalism has evolved from its origin to the American political system in place today. Federalism refers to the form of government that unites separate political entities or states within a single national system. However, federalism has a principle which allows each political entity or state to retain its independence. There are a number of countries that adopt the idea of federalism to form their government. A state that follows the federal system is known as federation. In fact, a federation is a political union of several states, by which effect is given to a certain state or stage of political thought...
Words: 3947 - Pages: 16
...An Essay on Fiscal Federalism Wallace E. Oates Journal of Economic Literature, Vol. 37, No. 3. (Sep., 1999), pp. 1120-1149. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-0515%28199909%2937%3A3%3C1120%3AAEOFF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-A Journal of Economic Literature is currently published by American Economic Association. Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/about/terms.html. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www.jstor.org/journals/aea.html. Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is an independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to and preserving a digital archive of scholarly journals. For more information regarding JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. http://www.jstor.org Tue Apr 24 17:00:09 2007 Journal of Economic Literature Vol. XXXVZZ (September 1999) pp. 1120-1 149 An Essay on Fiscal Federalism 1. Introduction ISCAL DECENTRALIZATION is in vogue. Both in the industrialized and in the...
Words: 19499 - Pages: 78
...Abstract The intent of this essay is to discuss financial reporting is both a reflection and creator of our perception of social reality and is consistently evolving. By means of research of these source collections, relevant evidence is selected, evaluated and organized into three key areas: the Carbon tax legislation represents a creation of a new social reality and the impact on sustainability in business. The carbon tax would be represented in the financial reports. To introduce the particular company and legislation impacts on that company. The Framework shows that the financial reporting is present relevant and reliable information. Some experts considered that the insufficient information on financial reporting impact on social reality. Thus, the Sustainability reporting occurs to fix up the fanatical reporting gaps. Introduction Financial reporting is both a reflection and creator of our perception of social reality and consistently evolving. Currently, accounting system is not only focus on the data of how much company earns, it also shift towards to social responsibility. As the dramatic of pollutions, especially that of the developing nations is extremely harmful not only to the surrounding environment, but also to the inhabitants of that country as well. Thus, financial reporting take concern on such problems and create out Sustainability reporting which help to reduce the pollutions. This essay is to discuss the both reflection and creator of financial reporting...
Words: 2231 - Pages: 9
...being successful at whole of government work increasingly important. These include pressures on the APS to offer sophisticated whole of government policy advice which comprehends a range of stakeholders' views, and to respond to complex policy challenges such as environmental or rural issues. There are pressures to join up program management, including security threats and intractable social issues such as drug dependence. There are rising community expectations for easier access to government by integrating service delivery. Agencies should review the impact of these imperatives on their work, including taking a long-term view of possible scenarios. Whole of government approaches to Australian government work are a relative strength for Australia and are not new. The increasing pressures on the APS demands that its history in whole of government work is understood to ensure it is not necessary to 'reinvent the wheel', yet work practices are continually improved. Agencies should take a whole of government approach when there are clear benefits. Leadership from ministers and agency heads is a critical part of whole of government work. The report offers a checklist of issues to consider, which agencies should adopt as routine practice. Agencies should consider...
Words: 6250 - Pages: 25
...AUSTRALIAN LEGAL SYSTEM IN CONTEXT BLB1101 Semester 1 2014 Table of contents Topic Page number Unit rationale and learning outcomes 3 Calendars – lectures and tutorial workshops 4 Tutorial workshop exercises 5-11 Assessment information 12-23 Assessment tasks 12 Part 1 – VCAT and Applied law 12 Part 2 – VCAT and Contextual analysis 13 Hypothetical Case Studies 15 • Residential Tenancies List 15 • Planning and Environment List 18 • Anti-Discrimination list 20 Assessment criteria 22 Reading guide 24-28 Su Robertson, Unit Coordinator su.robertson@vu.edu.au 9919 1823 Unit rationale BLB1101 Australian Legal System in Context: • Provides you with a working foundation in the technical structure of Australian legal systems, using applied practical teaching and learning methods; • Exposes you to ways of making sense of Australian legal systems in a legal academic way using the themes of economics, sustainability, race and gender; • Inducts you in the ways of the lawyer, including appropriate language use and structure, ethics and legal professional behaviour, using reflective, applied and theory-based teaching and learning methods. Learning outcomes Upon successful completion of BLB1101, you will: • Be able to identify and understand the components of Australian legal systems, how these components intersect and interact, and how lawyers use these systems; • Be able to identify and use the language...
Words: 9050 - Pages: 37
...ASIC):--Outlines the responsibilities of company directors in relation to various activities, including the nature of their conduct, and preparation, lodgment and distribution of financial statement///Requires preparation of ‘true and fair’ financial statements by public companies, large proprietary companies, organizations with securities listed on the ASX, and some small proprietary companies. Functions of AASB--developing a conceptual framework making accounting standards that have force of law under s. 334 of the Corporations Act//formulate accounting standards for other purposes such as for entities not governed by The Corporations Law//participate in and contribute to the development of a single set of accounting standards for worldwide use ROLE OF ASX:-- 1. Reviewing applications by companies to be listed on ASX. This includes reviewing the company’s history and finances. Each company must agree to obey the ASX Listing Rules.// 2. Supervising companies after they are approvedto make sure they obey the rules. 3. Making the shares in listed companies available for trading on a network of computers in an electronic market.//4. Reviewing applications by stockbrokers to be ASX Market Participants.//5. Giving approved stockbroker’s access to the sharemarket so they can buy and sell shares for...
Words: 1733 - Pages: 7
...ABSTRACT Auditing disclosures play an important role within accounting reports as they provide a level of assurance to the users (public). These disclosures will be discussed in light of the collapse of Health International Holdings (HIH). The HIH collapse warranted a Royal Commission investigation and also recorded the biggest corporate collapse in Australia's history. Corporate failures of similar magnitude such as Enron and Parmalat have occurred elsewhere and sparked large scale investigation and media scrutiny. In all of these corporate failures, the level or absence of disclosure has had a lot to do with the unexpectedness of the collapse. This paper analyses the HIH collapse within a Foucaldian framework to demonstrate the need for accountants and auditors to work together so as to avoid criticism of the profession arising from unexpected corporate failures in the future. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to analyse the collapse of HIH and the role of its auditor, Andersen, within a Foucauldian framework encompassing archeology and genealogy of power and knowledge. The mythical Jedi force is used as a metaphor for power attained by the accounting profession through its claim to superior knowledge and skill to be applied in the public interest. Accordingly, the force includes professional ethics. The dark side is used as a metaphor for the collapse of HIH because accounting standards and practices, the accounting profession's power base, were used to conceal...
Words: 7735 - Pages: 31
...and you will have 35 minutes to complete the exam. Federalism: The Basic elements of a Federal system of government (i.e. how is it structured/how power is shared) • Layers of gov • Equal power • Distinct powers Powers of the federal government: delegated powers, implied powers (necessary and proper clause), and concurrent powers. • Delegated Powers: (expressed/enumerated powers) powers given to the federal government directly by the constitution. Some most important delegated powers are: the authority to tax, regulated interstate commerce, authority to declare war, and grants the president role of commander and chief of the military • Implied Powers: Powers not expressed in the constitution, but that can be inferred. “Necessary and proper clause” • Concurrent powers: powers shared by both levels of government. Ex: Taxes, roads, elections, commerce, establishing courts and a judicial system • Reserved powers: powers not assigned by the constitution to the national government but left to the states or the people. Guaranteed by the 10th amendment. Include “police power”-health and public welfare, intra-state commerce. Example of police powers: Gonzales vs Raich (2005) and California Medical Marijuana. The parts and relevance of the "Triad of Powers" • Interstate commerce clause • General welfare • 10th amendment – non-delegated powers go to the states Federalism between states (i.e. full faith and credit and privileges...
Words: 37488 - Pages: 150
...policy and for reform — within his own state and nationally. This was grounded in an equally strong attachment to good analysis and evidence in support of policy decisions. As Secretary of the Victorian Treasury, he championed the use of quantitative analysis, including the development of an input/output based model of the Victorian economy, to gain a better understanding of the effects of policy changes on different industries and on the State’s overall economic performance. It was under his and John Brumby’s stewardship of the Treasury portfolio that the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission was established, to provide rigorous arms-length analysis and advice on key policy issues affecting the welfare of Victorians (akin to the role of the Productivity Commission at the national level). Victoria’s more systematic attention to good analysis and policy innovation commenced in the 1990s. It has yielded considerable benefits for Victoria’s citizens since then, not only in the comparative economic performance of this State, but also in its achievements in the social and environmental domains. Victoria was a first mover in the ‘second wave’ of economic reforms in the 90s — reforms that culminated in the National Competition Policy (or NCP). And Victoria was the first jurisdiction to recognise the need to pursue a ‘third wave’ of reform, one that would not only address the unfinished business of the NCP, but would also encompass reforms and policies in human services...
Words: 6958 - Pages: 28
...UNIT 1 Answer Key CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 1 Section 1 Prereading and Vocabulary 2 Reading Comprehension 3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. oligarchy citizen democracy constitution state two basic levels; certain decisions; only the federal government; each of the states Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and several regional, or state, governments. 1. Population; the people who live within the boundaries of the state 2. Territory; land with known and recognized boundaries 3. Sovereignty; the supreme and absolute power within a state’s territory to decide its own foreign and domestic policies 4. Government; the institution through which society makes and enforces public policies 5. Force theory; the state was born of force, when one person or a small group gained control over people in an area and forced them to submit to that person’s or group’s rule. 6. Evolutionary theory; the state evolved from early families that united to form clans. Later, clans united to form tribes. As tribes settled into agricultural groups over time, they formed states. 7. Divine right theory; God created the state and gave a chosen few the right to rule. 8. Social contract theory; people voluntarily agreed to create a state and give to the government just enough power to promote the safety and well-being of all. Government exists to serve the will of the people, and the people are the sole source of political...
Words: 19014 - Pages: 77
...[Please do not circulate or cite without permission] Written Constitutions and Unwritten Constitutionalism Mark D. Walters Faculty of Law Queen’s University February 2007 To Be Published In: Grant Huscroft (ed.), Expounding the Constitution: Essays in Constitutional Theory (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming) I. Introduction Defending the idea of ‘unwritten law’ has never been easy. Jeremy Bentham thought the very expression to be a ‘paradoxical and unmeaning epithet’.[1] In his view, social reform required ‘fixed and accurate’ laws—laws that ‘[w]e see, we hear, we touch; in short we handle…’[2] This empirical concept of law follows from the ideal of law as something produced by conscious acts of sovereign will. Central to this concept are, to use H.L.A. Hart’s expression, ‘rules of change’ that permit societies to escape the confines of ‘primitive’ custom.[3] The progressive march of legal theory, it may be said, has been away from medieval notions of law as customs practiced time out of mind or as the immutable dictates of natural law, away from the fiction that judges discover rather than make law, and towards modern notions of law as creative political acts recorded in writing. In terms of constitutional law, this march leads to the idea of written constitutionalism, a destination that the rebelling American colonists are often said to have reached first.[4] It was a task especially ‘reserved’ to the American people, wrote...
Words: 14138 - Pages: 57
...North C arolin a Polic y Wa t c h Cru cial Co nv ersa tion The Trans-Pa cific Partnership: Worse than NAFTA? Septemb er 2013 Lori Walla ch Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch Outcomes of 20 Ye ars of NAFTA, WTO, FTAs… Crushing of Americ an Middle Class: more than 5 million US manufa cturing jobs (1 out of 4) & 60,000 US manufa cturing fa cilities gone. Millions of service sector jobs offshored: c all centers, computer, programming, engineering, a cc ounting. Wage “arbitrage” in a ra ce- to-the- bottom. U.S. re al median wages at ‘70s levels. Income inequality at Robb er-Baron-era levels. When manufa cturing, good jobs go tax bases shrink – and schools, public services, infrastructure cut, and construction sector unemployment soars. Floods of unsafe imported food, products. Financial deregulation, instability and repe ated financial crises. He alth, labor, land use, other public interest laws around world atta cked in foreign tribunals. Some dump ed. Initiatives chilled. Billions extra cted from taxpayers and paid to corporations for violations of new “rights.” Drug prices up. In poor nations, de adly cut in a cce ss to meds. Rich nation higher prices slam poor consumers, govt budg ets as Big PhRMA profits soar. U.S. loses 170,000 family farms. In ‘12, volume of U.S. food exports only 1% higher than ’95 (when NAFTA-WTO started). Imports of food now 97% above ‘95 level. Livelihoods of tens of millions of pe asant farmers destroyed, mass migrations...
Words: 4495 - Pages: 18
