If Josh Frydenberg is looking for a starting point for his federation reform discussions, he need look no further than the retreat convened by Tony Abbott at Victoria barracks in Sydney in July 2015, where the prime minister and all state and territory premiers and chief ministers gathered to discuss the future of the federation.

Leading up to the retreat, the prospects for a successful discussion on federation reform seemed remote. The Commonwealth had earlier announced that it would tear up Commonwealth state agreements in health and education, cutting $80 billion over 10 years.