A proposal to give income tax power back to the states has emerged from a flurry of confused announcements and commentary, ahead of tomorrow's COAG…

Setting targets, like COAG did for combined efforts to Close the Gap, is useful but should not be the main focus of attempts to get…

Former Victorian premier John Brumby warns that COAG is trailing on modern governance standards. It needs pre-agreed agendas and an independent secretariat to protect good…

Federation reform was the big topic at this week's IPAA national conference. Former SA premier and political historian John Bannon made the case for change,…

A NSW audit of prayer groups in public schools has put the education space at the centre of government efforts to counter violent extremism. Perhaps…

Described as Australia's first "Camp David" summit, the leaders of Australia's three tiers of government unanimously backed a statehood bid for the Northern Territory and…

The government's federalism white paper process has been "inconsistent" and "opaque", top legal expert Cheryl Saunders said at Tuesday's John Button Oration. Although Australians are…

As the Prime Minister kickstarts debate, experts and former politicians from both sides of the divide offer their road maps for reforming the federation in…

COAG plays an important role in Australia's federal system. But are its decisions rushed and undemocratic? Federation reform requires another look at the premiers' meeting.

Mary Ann O'Loughlin drove the COAG Reform Council before it was abolished in June. She reflects on federalism and public service with The Mandarin.

Abandoned by the Abbott government, what are the lessons from the COAG reform council process? Former head Mary Ann O'Loughlin spoke at this week's ANZSOG…