While some might suggest it is impolite to say that the Nationals are slow learners determined to repeat previous costly mistakes, that is where the evidence leads.

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Nationals leader Matt Canavan used his recent National Press Club address to push for more federal bureaucrats to be relocated to regional areas, including his own home town of Rockhampton.

He coupled this blatant political tactic with a bizarre claim that remote working rights within the Australian Public Service are predominantly exploited by Canberrans.

Even if it was true, this tired kind of rhetoric completely ignores the foundational purpose of the capital, the spectacular failures of past decentralisation efforts, and the Coalition's own recent electoral trauma regarding public sector workplace policies.

When the Australian Capital Territory was established following Federation, it was explicitly designed to end the bickering between Sydney and Melbourne. Section 125 of the constitution mandated a federal territory to serve as the seat of government.

For over a century Canberra has been the designated headquarters of the Australian Public Service. It is a purpose-built administrative centre. Tearing agencies away from this hub to score cheap political points in regional electorates is an assault on the efficiency of the national government.

When Barnaby Joyce was the agriculture minister he forcibly relocated the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to Armidale, deep within his own electorate.

The result?........

© Canberra Times