Malcolm Fraser in his interview with John Faine [Aug 2007] asserts that John Howard and his destruction of federalism is driving Australia towards 'anarchy'. You would think that Fraser, a well educated person, would be a little more mindful of history.
Most people would be aware that a drive towards centralism is, in fact, exactly the opposite of 'anarchy', (which in the original Greek sense of the word means a democratic society without rulers). Jump forward to the 20th century; whether in Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia, or anywhere else that the centralised State raised it's ugly head, anarchists were, and still are, the most fierce defenders of human rights, liberty, and equality - and federalism!
But perhaps in a paradoxical way Fraser's analysis is correct. What Howard has done in his grab for centralised power is to give a wake-up call to those Australians who considered themselved to be true libertarians. Over the last decade or so we have observed the increasing centralisation, concentration and collaboration of state, corporate and informational power. The response of some (like myself) has been to abandon liberalism (and 'socialism') - and look toward real alternatives. The anarchist vision of a free, fair, and democratic world, based upon the principles of mutual aid and co-operation. A Universal Federation of Peoples in which people, not power and money, matter first and foremost. These are goals that I think even Malcolm Fraser would agree with.
In the few remaining years that Fraser has left, he should do himself a favour and join the anarchist movement. Why not? You've got nothing to lose but your chains Malcolm.