Bordering on desperation in battle of the states

Barnaby Joyce advocates abolition of the states, which would imply a transfer of even more power to Canberra (“Our parochial states are a sign of another time”, 24/8).

Canberra directs its energies to providing for those where the vast majority of votes are in the eastern states, almost to the exclusion of less populous states. Achievements of recent Canberra administrations pale when compared with a reading of the achievements of Western Australian governments, particularly that of Sir Charles Court.

Centralisation of power disenfranchises regional communities. The problem is that Canberra has gained ever increasing duplication of administration of services rightfully the responsibility of the states. Decentral­isation of power and services from Canberra, a return of taxing powers to the states and limiting Canberra’s responsibilities to the intention of the Constitution would achieve Joyce’s objectives. Not abolition of the states.

Charles Stanger, Manuka, ACT

It is a rare day indeed that I agree with Barnaby Joyce but his piece is timely in light of the current parochial attitude of the states and resulting damage to the national economy. If the premiers want to run their states as personal fiefdoms in a manner reminiscent of the former East Germany, then they should go the whole hog and resume their previous tax-raising powers and generate some fiscal accountability for their actions. As with border closures, they have wound back the clock to pre-1901 and are “defederating” the country. No doubt Joyce’s suggestion of state abolition will be resisted by the usual suspects and we will go on living in a semi-permanent state of suspended animation in lockdown hysteria.

Ashley Georgeson, Cumberland Park, SA

I read with interest the debate on the future of the states. Fewer pollies and less bureaucracy sounds wonderful. So we devolve the states and have one all-powerful central government. What happens if we get a Daniel Andrews type for prime minister? Abolish the states? Only if we can install some sort of citizen-initiated referendum with rights of recall, where the populace can vote to remove an incompetent or corrupt government, no matter if there are fixed terms for parliament. Centralising the running of the country might be preferable, but we need a safety valve in case of emergency.

David Astin, Taperoo, SA

Graham Turner is right (“Costly lockdowns doing more harm than good”, 24/8). I am an 83-year-old victim of COVID-19. Not of the disease — I’m fit and healthy — but of the supposed cure. The lockdown has isolated me from my children, grandchildren, friends and few forms of entertainment. I cannot escape Melbourne’s harsh winter even for a few days. All for zero benefit. There is no possibility that any government-imposed measure has saved me from the disease.

Meanwhile I have had to watch the political catastrophe that I could see from the outset. Grandstanding “leaders” played to the crowd with their solutions, their triumphs and of course their heartfelt concerns about every single policy shortfall.

If politicians take positions as personal saviours of every citizen then they also have to protect themselves personally against every single failure. There is no letting up, no stopping, and inevitably, no exit strategy.

Tom Biegler, St Kilda East, Vic

In 1947 I had scarlet fever and was placed in an isolation ward at Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney with about 20 other males aged from infancy to adulthood. Our house was fumigated by the authorities and my siblings enjoyed a holiday from school. My parents were permitted to visit me once a week and speak to me from a corridor through an open window. It was a sometimes fatal disease but not as infectious as COVID-19. As penicillin was soon to change treatment greatly for the better, let’s hope effective drugs and a safe vaccine for our current infection can soon be found.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

With regards to Josh Frydenberg’s column (“Lights at end of this long tunnel”, 24/8), if building infrastructure, printing money and running up future debt for the grandkids to pay is such a good boost to the economy now, then why weren’t they doing it before COVID? The Keynesians have well and truly taken over the Treasury.

Karl Krajewski, Balnagowan, Qld