01270pab a2200145 454500008004000000100001900040245005000059260000900109300001300118362000800131520087300139650003801012650002601050773004801076180718b2002   xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d  aBeattie, Peter  aThe immediate challenge regarding COAG reform  c2002  ap.57-59.  aDec  aFederalism presented an attractive model for young Australia. Preserving the autonomy of colonies through the retention of state governments and the establishment of a bicameral Commonwealth parliament with a `states house' helped to counter the suspicion of central government.  But as a system of government, federalism requires coordination and cooperation between the layers of government.  In the history of Australia's federation there are examples that show times of strong cooperation and coordination between the states and the Commonwealth. However more and more, our federation does not enjoy cooperation or coordination on issues of vital importance to all Australians. I believe it is time to look at the way our system of federalism works.  We require a mechanism to facilitate coordination and cooperation between the layers of government. - Reproduced.  aAdministrative reform - Australia  aAdministrative reform  aAustralian Journal of Public Administration