After all this, I'd love to see Tristan's considered opinion on disbanding the State governments and handing certain powers "up" to the Federal government (such as the Murray Darling, and streamlined national Departments for education, transport, health, child protection and law enforcement), while handing other powers "down" to local councils... either as they are or amalgamated.

Local councils could integrate rubbish collection with Biochar biomass energy generation and local farming support. Australia faces a national emergency with the end of oil, and it's time to consider just how many billions of dollars we are wasting on duplication in the current State system. How about it Tristan? Time for a few weeks off to write another paper? I for one would love it.