In 2002, one of our prominent political journalists observed, “Some people get excited about the republic. But, when it comes to changes that would improve the operation of the federation and make government more efficient and effective, there is an almost universal lack or interest.” 1

Now, people from all parts of our society are suggesting that significant improvements to our federal system of government are necessary. For instance, in 2008 a “Key Message” published by the Business Council of Australia, included the following warning: “...in recent times, it has become clear that the system of federal-state relations, as it currently operates, is increasingly dysfunctional and is not geared to meet the increasing economic and social challenges Australia faces.” 2

However, the conventional wisdom, reinforced by past experience, is that changing our constitution is virtually impossible. Progress towards reform of the constitution at the inter-government level is stymied by antagonism between state and federal governments, and by a fear of federal government domination.  Furthermore, the record of other countries reforming their constitutions, except under duress, such as a coup d’état, encourages an attitude of resignation.

Another factor limiting the pace of progress toward an effective and efficient system of government is the lack of a constructive alternative, which is the purpose of these Draft Specifications. The 1999 proposal to reconstitute the Commonwealth as a republic raised the spectre of creating a fourth level of elected government, while avoiding the real problems of our federal system. In the meantime, we suffer an expensive and convoluted arrangement that handicaps our efforts to keep up with the rest of the world.

Between the 1890’s, when our constitution was drawn up, and the present, with its threatening future, the world has changed significantly. And to achieve popular expectations in this changing world, government must be effective and efficient, requirements that will inevitably involve reform of the 1901 Constitution. The time to start this process is now and the initial steps are described in Act I and Act II.

The achievement of reform is so important that the necessary referendums should be conducted as stand-alone campaigns, rather than as appurtenances to the federal election circus. In particular, voting should be voluntary and predominantly by post, with voters informed of the many arguments for and against when they receive their ballot papers. Voters with no opinion should not be forced to make an ill-informed guess.

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1 Laurie Oakes, ‘Power Plays’, The Bulletin, 18 April, 2002, p. 17

2 Business Council of Australia, ‘Reshaping Australia’s Federation - A New Contract for Federal-state Relations’, October, 2006               http://www.bca.com.au/Content.aspx?ContentID=100802