The Power of the Purse: An Examination of Fiscal Federalism in Australia

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Pubblicato

2026-01-13

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63277/gsc.v24i.4916

Autori

  • Lorraine Finlay Murdoch University

Parole chiave:

Federalismo Fiscale, Storia Costituzionale Australiana, Riforma

Abstract

This paper will trace the growing financial dominance of the Commonwealth government over the past century and its implications for the federal balance in Australia. It will argue that such an economically dominant central government was never intended by the Founding Fathers, and indeed that it undermines many of the protections they sought to establish through the adoption of a federal structure in the Constitution. Finally, it will go on to briefly highlight a number of possible reforms that, if introduced, would go some way to restoring the fiscal position of the States relative to the Commonwealth government.

Biografia autore

Lorraine Finlay, Murdoch University

Lecturer in Law,  School of Law.