Kiwis will only be acceptable when they learn to play cricket.

I did not think that their was anyone left in NZ. They have all moved to greener (not literally) pastures.

Irfan,

I never cease to be amazed at why article writers continue to urinate into the breeze. If you had been born here you would realise that New Zealand has long been regarded as the original failed state. Despite the competition from the Solomons, New Guinea, Fiji, etc., they still retain that image in the eyes of many Australians, but it is no longer valid.

What no-one in Australia seems to realise is that the Kiwis would never agree to join our federation. If our federation had continued as it was originally intended, with laws differing significantly in different states, with people racing from the police to the Queensland frontier, (from which there would be no extradition), there might be some slight hope, but as it is, there is none.

If New Zealand joined our federation it would mean giving up almost all say in their affairs. No country would ever do that unless faced by a catastrophic situation.

From the Australian side, thank heavens NZ didn't join our federation. Just think of the maori problem, which would dwarf the aboriginal problem.

Again, it is a matter of our basic philosophy, which is significantly different due to NZ's lack of a convict heritage. For the sake of boredom, let me restate the four basic points of Australian political philosophy:

1. The government is the enemy of the people, and can never be trusted.

2. No taxation with or without representation, with any deficiency being made up from the sale of politicians' assets.

3. The trouble with elections is that no matter whom you vote for, a POLITICAN is ALWAYS elected.

4. ALWAYS vote NO in referendums.

Good article.

I think an EU like setup would be a better idea with same currency etc. Maybe even bring in Singapoure.

I have always thought Singaporeans integrate far better than Kiwis. But there is a valid point about the centralist tendencies of the Feds. Restore taxing powers to the states, create more of them, produce some genuine social and political diversity based on communities of interest and we may well end up with a workable federation that includes Kiwistan.

Of course, it would need to be more on the european model where the currency may be the same but each state keeps its football and olympic teams. Devolve power, consult regularly on consistent standards and produce a stronger whole based on real synergies.

Good, it is about time we got proportional representation here.