FORMER defence minister and Opposition leader Brendan Nelson has poured cold water on suggestions the Far North should become its own state.

His comments came 48 hours after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also ridiculed the idea in Townsville.

• Rudd rejects Far North breakaway state

Speaking before attending an Urban Development Institute of Australia lunch at the Shangri-La on Friday, Dr Nelson, recently appointed ambassador to the European Union and NATO, said Australians were already over-governed.

"Even the proudest Far North Queenslander, in a quiet moment, would think that’s madness," Dr Nelson said.

"We are living in a country that’s desperately over-governed.

"I think we have one politician to every 22,000 people. In America it is one to every 130,000.

"We are in a situation now where we have buck-passing, cost shifting and trying to work out who is responsible for the problems at Cairns Base Hospital. Is it the State Government or is it the Federal Government?

"That’s just one example of how the system is failing us."

Historian Geoffrey Blainey last month said population increases in North Queensland meant it would be "absurd" for a new state not to be established here.

• Call for Far North Queensland to split

Dr Nelson, meanwhile, also backed Warren Entsch’s attempt at a comeback.

"I’m really pleased. It’s a wonderful thing for the people of Far North Queensland," he said.

• Call for Far North Queensland to split
• Far North Queensland state claim divides population
• It's border line madness

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