From ABC Fora 27 May 2009
Where else would you find National Party senator Barnaby Joyce, former NSW ALP treasurer Michael Costa, and Professor AJ Brown, a constitutional lawyer who, in his own words "probably votes Green" all arguing on the same side of an issue? At an IQ2 debate, of course. The proposition they all agreed upon? That State Governments should be abolished. Perhaps a controversial position to take, especially for a former senior state government politician. Arguing against this unlikely alliance were two experts on Constitutional law, Professor Anne Twomey and Professor Greg Craven, and Former Premier of Western Australia, Professor Geoff Gallop.
The debate was lively and unexpectedly hilarious, as state rivalries and different political perspectives quickly became apparent. Barnaby Joyce and Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University and staunch republican Professor Greg Craven almost brought the house down with their quick wit and wry banter. A thought-provoking and entertaining debate, with some interesting outcomes. The pre-debate poll was 67% for the motion, 18% against and 15% undecided. After the hearty arguments from both sides the results were announced: 54% for, 33% against and 13% undecided.
Michael Costa is a newspaper columnist, former NSW Treasurer and Deputy Premier and a former union leader.
Associate Professor Anne Twomey is a constitutional lawyer, who works in the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney, and is co-author of "Australia's Federal Future".
Professor AJ Brown is a constitutional lawyer, social scientist and director of the Federalism Project at Griffith University.
Professor Geoff Gallop AC is the former Premier of WA. He is now the Director of the Graduate School of Government, University of Sydney.
Barnaby Joyce is a National Party Senator for Queensland.
Professor Greg Craven is the Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University. He was heavily involved in the debate about an Australian Republic, and is the author of "Conversations with the Constitution."