The Queensland Senator is visiting Mackay today to speak with local groups about issues that could impede the growth of one of the fastest growing cities in the State. 

 

Senator Trood said all the recent discussion in the media on how Australia should manage its population growth has reignited debate on reforming our system of Federalism and notes that: 

 

·         In 1859, the colony of Queensland only had a population of 23,000.

·         Now, Queensland has a population of 4.45 million and is the most decentralised State in Australia with only 45% living in Brisbane 

 

Senator Trood said with these population changes we should be considering new models of State governance. 

 

“It is little wonder why people outside the south-east corner often complain that they are being ignored when funding is being handed out”, Senator Trood said.

 

 “It is not easy to manage population, but we should aim for a population that is sustainable and consistent with the maintenance of services and a lifestyle that Australians have come to accept as reflective of the Australian standard of living.” 

 

Senator Trood said a new system of regionalism in which local governments are given more autonomy or in which new states are created has the potential to “empower local communities and would direct resources to priorities established locally”.  

 

“There are various models of regionalism but in the immediate future I would propose one which would involve state and federal governments cooperating with the local communities to define regions for all funding purposes – education, health, aged care, roads etc and these regional units developing a capacity to efficiently distribute funds throughout region”, Senator Trood said. 

 

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