My argument for reform is not about the states, it’s about the health and sustainability of our federation. It is, by no means, a perfect system. But, to misquote Winston Churchill, just ‘a little federalism is the worst form of governance, except for all the others’.

One hundred and eleven years ago, a proponent of federalism, Sir Isaac Isaacs, spoke of the colonies being at a point of great tension as they considered whether to form a federation. I think we are at another point in our history where there is great tension around how we work together. Our nation has evolved and our world has changed greatly since 1901 but our federal system and our constitution have not. We are at a point of great opportunity, with governments of the same political persuasion in power across Australia, a Prime Minister committed to a new federalism and state and territory leaders who want a real partnership. We have an appetite for change. There is also an opportunity for change—a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Let’s make the most of it.