North Shore problems expose weaknesses

The problems at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, are a combination of several factors only one of which is the unsatisfactory hospital management style.

However, there are three external political conditions that cause the sad outcomes common to many other hospitals.

These are the huge fiscal imbalance in federal-state relations, the electoral system and aspects of the Westminster system.

The financial imbalance in the federation is a major cause.

Secondly, Australia's single-member district system creates safe and marginal seats.

Safe seats, such as North Sydney, are at a disadvantage while pork barrelling in marginals is part of the same problem.

Thirdly, the Westminster system, which requires that Ministers are "in and of the Parliament", produces functional amateurism.

This is not the exception.

It is the norm.

So don't blame Health Minister Reba Meagher, a young labour lawyer. Blame the system instead.

There are many such examples.

Do the once politically neutral public servants come to the rescue?

Alas, that was the practice.

All these problems can be fixed but don't expect much from the major parties.

So whom will you vote for now?

Who offers system change becomes the really important question.

Independents?

Minor parties?

The structure of government and the electoral system are in urgent need of reform.

Klaas Woldring Pearl Beach