Council for the Australian Federation

The Council for the Australian Federation (CAF) was formed to support and enhance our federal system by providing a forum for state and territory leaders in Australia to discuss and resolve important issues independently of the Commonwealth.

Message from the Chair

I am very pleased to Chair the Council for the Australian Federation (CAF) in 2023.

As Chair, I will continue to work collectively with State and Territory First Ministers and in partnership with the Commonwealth, to deliver on key reforms of importance to Australians.

This year CAF will maintain a focus on driving economic growth including through a contemporary skills reform agenda, and lifting the bar on social reforms, including accessible and affordable health services for all Australians, particularly our First Nations people.

I am excited about what CAF can achieve and I intend to use my time as Chair to advocate strongly on a number of key priorities which are important for the Northern Territory and all Australians.

As Chief Ministers and Premiers, we have a shared responsibility to our citizens across the nation to think big, generate ideas, and work towards solutions for the complex challenges facing this generation and the next. As a collective, we can lift Australia’s social and economic productivity, by working within and beyond our own State or Territory borders on shared challenges and opportunities.

I would like to thank the outgoing 2022 Chair of CAF, NSW Premier, the Hon Dominic Perrottet MP, for his leadership and determination to work collaboratively on State and Territory priorities for the benefit of all Australians.

I look forward to working with my counterparts across Australia on national reforms that will strengthen our federation and ensure all Australians have an equal share in our Nation’s future.

THE HON NATASHA FYLES MLA
CHIEF MINISTER OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Latest news

2 February 2023 - CAF Communique (PDF, 732KB)
- Signed Statement of Intent: Voice to Parliament
23 August 2022 - CAF Communique (PDF, 124KB)
14 July 2022 - CAF Communique (PDF, 154KB)
18 May 2022 - CAF Communique (PDF, 123KB)
9 December 2021 - CAF met virtually hosted by Chair Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland
2 December 2020 - CAF met virtually hosted by then Chair Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria
12 December 2018 - CAF Communiqué (PDF, 334KB)
24 February 2018 - media release (PDF, 281KB)
9 February 2018 - CAF Communiqué (PDF, 351KB).

About the Council for the Australian Federation

Each state and territory Premier or Chief Minister is a member of CAF. Victoria was instrumental in establishing CAF in 2006 and former South Australian Premier Mike Rann was the inaugural Chair.

In 2023 the Council reviewed its operations and reaffirmed its objectives. The Council's objectives are to:

work toward common understanding of the States' and Territories' positions in relation to policy issues involving the Commonwealth Government; and
take a leadership role on key national policy issues, including the Federation, that are not addressed by the Commonwealth Government.

View the final signed Agreement (PDF, 2.19MB).

CAF Members

Premier of New South Wales, the Honourable Christopher Minns MP
Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
Premier of Victoria, the Honourable Daniel Andrews MP
Premier of South Australia, the Honourable Peter Malinauskas MP
Premier of Western Australia, the Honourable Mark McGowan MLA
Premier of Tasmania, the Honourable Jeremy Rockliff MP
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, Andrew Barr MLA
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Honourable Natasha Fyles MLA (Chair)