Commonwealth Funding To The States

[linga_is_no1]

This topic has been one of the most argued subjects in the history of our fine country, and I will drag it up again.

Since 1901 the Commonwealth government has been pouring cash into the weeping economies of NSW and VIC. That was fine in 1901 when those 2 places were driving our economy but today; things have changed. I as a Western Australian do not want to be involved with the Victorian and New South Welsh financial basket cases, I want Western Australian money staying in Western Australia. Just like it worked for NSW and VIC prior to when they became economic jokes. This is the problem with Australian federalism its too centralist, there needs to be more power to the individual states. Canberra shouldn't be making decisions about who gets to spend WA's money. 100% of the money earned in the state should stay in the state.

I could not care less if some New South Welsh bogan is annoyed that he can't scab off WA anymore, thats his problem. The average West Australian contributes $660 more in the economy than the average Australian, yet the average West Australian will receive $50 less than the New South Welsh person despite contributing substantially more to the economy. The most striking piece of bullshit is how NSW gets to keep almost all of its money and WA does not. WTF!!! No one wonder we want to succeed so badly, we're being absolutely screwed over by these Centralist New South Welsh bastards.

Power needs to be given to individual states so they control their own finances, and states should keep all of their own revenue.

 

[Cap]

This topic has been one of the most argued subjects in the history of our fine country, and I will drag it up again.

Since 1901 the Commonwealth government has been pouring cash into the weeping economies of NSW and VIC. That was fine in 1901 when those 2 places were driving our economy but today; things have changed. I as a Western Australian do not want to be involved with the Victorian and New South Welsh financial basket cases, I want Western Australian money staying in Western Australia. Just like it worked for NSW and VIC prior to when they became economic jokes. This is the problem with Australian federalism its too centralist, there needs to be more power to the individual states. Canberra shouldn't be making decisions about who gets to spend WA's money. 100% of the money earned in the state should stay in the state.

I could not care less if some New South Welsh bogan is annoyed that he can't scab off WA anymore, thats his problem. The average West Australian contributes $660 more in the economy than the average Australian, yet the average West Australian will receive $50 less than the New South Welsh person despite contributing substantially more to the economy. The most striking piece of bullshit is how NSW gets to keep almost all of its money and WA does not. WTF!!! No one wonder we want to succeed so badly, we're being absolutely screwed over by these Centralist New South Welsh bastards.

Power needs to be given to individual states so they control their own finances, and states should keep all of their own revenue.

there is a wheel, and it turns

eventually.....

 

[KingsCrow]

Western Australia only contribute so much because of the Mining companies, its not the actual General population.

SA I think just breaks even in terms of money going to the Gov and coming back out, but years before we were actually losing money. Now thats unfair because we had virtually no mining industry and are actually the poorest mainland state. Bastards.


SA in about 10 years will have the 2nd largest Mining royalties, and we will be paying huge tax bills. One only hopes the Fed Government gives a little back for those years of raping us.


If your state government can afford to pay for huge railways, stadiums, roads and desal plants, I don't think you guys are struggling that much. We nearly had a protest erupt over here...over 20 million dollars.

 

[linga_is_no1]

Western Australia only contribute so much because of the Mining companies, its not the actual General population.

SA I think just breaks even in terms of money going to the Gov and coming back out, but years before we were actually losing money. Now thats unfair because we had virtually no mining industry and are actually the poorest mainland state. Bastards.


SA in about 10 years will have the 2nd largest Mining royalties, and we will be paying huge tax bills. One only hopes the Fed Government gives a little back for those years of raping us.


If your state government can afford to pay for huge railways, stadiums, roads and desal plants, I don't think you guys are struggling that much. We nearly had a protest erupt over here...over 20 million dollars.

I agree with you mate, the Federal Govt acts like a school teacher only giving money to the 'good' states. With saying WA has mining in WA therefore its WA's money. States should look after themselves.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

The Federal Government should have less power without a doubt. Best solution is for states to make a flat tax for Business and the indervidual, ignore federal income tax and give a % to the Federal Government.

 

[DaveW]

Gosh you pedal some sh*t linga. NSW and Victoria are net contributors to federal coffers, and have been for a long time. I believe that up until recently, they were the only two states in that category.

Here are the apparent current figures:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showpost.php?p=10247589&postcount=32

SA I think just breaks even in terms of money going to the Gov and coming back out, but years before we were actually losing money. Now thats unfair because we had virtually no mining industry and are actually the poorest mainland state. Bastards.

Not even close. Of the big five mainland states, SA is the biggest net receiver of commonwealth funding. But don't let the facts get in the way of a good whinge.

 

[bob_neil]

we should all just gang up on the NT and blame them. something like 75% of their government funding comes from the commonwealth. there's nothing like picking on the smallest kid when you want a fight.

but seriously, if people in WA have such a problem with actually contributing to the country as a whole because they don't like the current deal they are on, then they should piss off back to 1900 and vote against joinging the federation.

great call there by EasternHills as well. constitutional issues aside, why on earth should the states be allowed to try and operate all of their own systems independently? it would be less efficent than a federal system and how many examples would you like of state governments being totally incompetent in managing their affairs and needing to be bailed out financially.

 

[Qsaint]

This topic has been one of the most argued subjects in the history of our fine country, and I will drag it up again.

Since 1901 the Commonwealth government has been pouring cash into the weeping economies of NSW and VIC. That was fine in 1901 when those 2 places were driving our economy but today; things have changed. I as a Western Australian do not want to be involved with the Victorian and New South Welsh financial basket cases, I want Western Australian money staying in Western Australia. Just like it worked for NSW and VIC prior to when they became economic jokes. This is the problem with Australian federalism its too centralist, there needs to be more power to the individual states. Canberra shouldn't be making decisions about who gets to spend WA's money. 100% of the money earned in the state should stay in the state.

I could not care less if some New South Welsh bogan is annoyed that he can't scab off WA anymore, thats his problem. The average West Australian contributes $660 more in the economy than the average Australian, yet the average West Australian will receive $50 less than the New South Welsh person despite contributing substantially more to the economy. The most striking piece of bullshit is how NSW gets to keep almost all of its money and WA does not. WTF!!! No one wonder we want to succeed so badly, we're being absolutely screwed over by these Centralist New South Welsh bastards.

Power needs to be given to individual states so they control their own finances, and states should keep all of their own revenue.

For 100 + years Vic and NSW has subsidised your state and when asked to almost pay your fair share, once mind you thats right 1 year out of 107 you whinge????????

 

[pazza]

Show the evidence of the Victorian economy up shit creek linga and then people might take you a bit more seriously (yes we know NSW is stuffed)

 

[Moo]

My problem isn't with WA paying its fair share which I don't think anyone doubts. I consider myself an Australian and am happy to support the other states as we are a federation and the growth in Qld and supporting health in NT are all good for this nation in the long term.

My main issue is we in WA don't receive the infrastructure support that fuels this boom. Charlie Court and the good old WA taxpayers funded an enourmous amnount of the infrastructure behind this boom in the 70's.

If the Fed Govt took a smarter line, we would have more development of resources here in WA and more money pouring into WA and therefore Oz. Quite simply the per capita expenditure in infrastructure in WA should be massive - yet we are well down the table.

I don't have recent figures but in 2006 (when I went overseas) ...WA received 10% of the Auslink road funding but WA has nearly a 1/4 of the roads in WA with a massive cost to the mining transportation network. Our road funding deals in comparrision to the Eastern corridor are a joke - entire networks are built on the Fed $, yet in WA we struggle to get 50% funding for mining link ups.

WA should be at the top of this nations infrastructure spending ...if Court had not spent the cash in the 60's & 70's - Aust would not have it as good as we do now. Some vision is required not petty state politics - spending on ports, energy, refinement and transport infrastructure in WA is good for Australia.

The last few paragraphs of this speech from Sir Charles sum it up for me -

I repeat, it is only when you are adding value before export that you can expect the employment, career opportunities and consequential growth which are necessary so that we can increase the population. This in turn also gives greater security in the overall situation to our State and nation as well as economic strength.

I am but stating the obvious in the hope industry, commerce and governments will take up the running and realise the state and national future is much more important than the short-term interests of a political party or an industry. We are talking about good sense and good management, combined with a far-sighted approach, not breaching or amending the Constitution. The principles about export of oil and gas I have been enunciating, not only apply to export of our oil and natural gas. They apply equally to all our other raw materials such as iron ore, bauxite, nickel and other natural resources.

http://www.aie.org.au/pubs/court.htm