Howard warns on 'state disease'

AdelaideNow... Howard warns on 'state disease':

"Mr Howard reminded MPs that being in the government party room was the one glittering prize of Australian politics and asked them “not to get distracted by state machinations”."

State machinations? It's our state, mate and we take an interest in the machinations. Anyone would think Australia was not able to be governed by any party other than Liberal. It's a very odd way of looking at things, especially when each state has such a strong character and such a strong resilience. At the State level we deal with, and overcome, so much. It's the federal government which is currently out of step because it is not thinking how we think. The states consult, discuss, debate, argue. They organise forums, committees, public meetings. We can talk to our state. I love their machinations.