Michael is joined Dr Scott Presser, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies & former government advisor, over concerns that Prime Minister Morrison’s announcement for “a completely new system” of intergovernmental relations institutions, processes and agendas that will replace the current Council of Australian Governments (COAG) will be able to tackle issues more effectively.

“The continuation of the National Cabinet that operated during the pandemic should be a concern, given its failure to achieve national policy consistency on many key issues,” Dr Prasser says.

“These include school reopenings, travel restrictions, border closures and the pace of restarting the economy, implemented in a manner that has done great harm to our children’s education, individual freedom and the employment of many Australians. 

“That the National Cabinet will operate in the future under the same rules and processes of Federal Cabinet will further enhance the power of executive government in Australia, to the detriment of parliaments, parties and the people — with more decisions being made without community input.”