What are the benefits of having three levels of government?

Thanks for your question.

The main benefit of having three levels of government is that each level can focus on the needs of the people and communities they represent:

• local councils work out what services are needed in their local area
• state and territory governments look after matters that affect the whole state
• the federal government is responsible for matters that affect all Australians. 

For example, upgrading the rail services in your state is the responsibility of the state minister for transport. However, if the rail services in your local area urgently need upgrading, the council could ask the state transport minister to give priority to your area. 

Likewise, the federal minister for transport decides on rules for airlines flying in and to Australia. However, a local council or members of a state parliament might give the minister feedback about these rules. For example, this could be a request from residents to extend a curfew on planes flying over their suburbs at night.

Dividing power between the three levels, also protects individual Australians from one overly powerful government. This safeguards Australians against the abuse of power.