from Our belittled ABC ….

No need for constitutional convention, PM says

The Prime Minister says there is no need for a constitutional convention in the wake of this week’s High Court case on industrial relations.

Several premiers say yesterday's ruling has changed the basis of the relationship between the Commonwealth and the states and have called for a convention to debate the situation. 

John Howard has told Macquarie Radio that would be unnecessary and an over-reaction.

"This does not mean that I'm going to embark on some orgy of centralism," he said.

"I have no desire to do that.

"I will use the constitutional power available to the Commonwealth when it's in the public good.

"I have no desire to accrue power to Canberra just for the sake of us having more power."