❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett on which Premiers support increasing the GST. Barnett denies campaigning for a GST increase but advocates for a change in its distribution due to perceived flaws in the current system.
AnsweredQoN 550Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE FINANCES — GOODS AND SERVICES TAX
550. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Considering Premier Napthine
has denied he wants the GST to go up, which Premiers support the Premier's
plan to lift the GST on Australian households?
550. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Considering Premier Napthine
has denied he wants the GST to go up, which Premiers support the Premier's
plan to lift the GST on Australian households?
AnswerView source ↗
The Leader of the Opposition is struggling!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Butler!
Premier, do you want to answer that or not?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am happy to. I have explained the issue with respect to the GST. The system is
broken; it needs to change. There are various opinions amongst Premiers about
how it needs to be changed, but there is one common element: that the
Commonwealth Grants Commission process is broken. Everyone agrees that the GST
is not producing the revenue growth expected. Everyone agrees it is no longer
seen as a source of stable financial grants, particularly for Western Australia—Victoria
is now down to 90c in the dollar. I do not know what that equates to in actual
dollar values, but it is probably pretty close to $3 billion a year that
Western Australia loses. Queensland can see what is coming over the horizon. As
Queensland repairs its economy, it will be hit because of potential resource
income growth, particularly through coal seam gas. That is a reality. Every
state is aware of the issue. I am not campaigning for an increase in the GST.
Mr
M. McGowan : It sounded like it!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Maybe the Leader of the Opposition does not listen carefully.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am not campaigning for that, but I am campaigning for a
change in the distribution. If the other states want to see the pool grow —
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I have finished, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Butler!
Premier, do you want to answer that or not?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am happy to. I have explained the issue with respect to the GST. The system is
broken; it needs to change. There are various opinions amongst Premiers about
how it needs to be changed, but there is one common element: that the
Commonwealth Grants Commission process is broken. Everyone agrees that the GST
is not producing the revenue growth expected. Everyone agrees it is no longer
seen as a source of stable financial grants, particularly for Western Australia—Victoria
is now down to 90c in the dollar. I do not know what that equates to in actual
dollar values, but it is probably pretty close to $3 billion a year that
Western Australia loses. Queensland can see what is coming over the horizon. As
Queensland repairs its economy, it will be hit because of potential resource
income growth, particularly through coal seam gas. That is a reality. Every
state is aware of the issue. I am not campaigning for an increase in the GST.
Mr
M. McGowan : It sounded like it!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Maybe the Leader of the Opposition does not listen carefully.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am not campaigning for that, but I am campaigning for a
change in the distribution. If the other states want to see the pool grow —
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I have finished, Mr Speaker.
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