❓ Ms. Hamilton asks about protecting WA's GST share. The Treasurer outlines the government's efforts to defend the 2018 agreement against threats, particularly a new review and criticism from commentators like Saul Eslake, emphasizing the importance of WA's GST share for national economic growth.
AnsweredQoN 603Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GST—distribution
603. Ms Emily Hamilton to
the Treasurer:
I refer to Cook
Labor government's commitment to keeping the Western Australian economy the
strongest in the nation.
(1) Can the Treasurer outline to the house how the
government is working to protect Western Australia's fair share of GST?
(2) Is the Treasurer aware of any potential
threats?
603. Ms Emily Hamilton to
the Treasurer:
I refer to Cook
Labor government's commitment to keeping the Western Australian economy the
strongest in the nation.
(1) Can the Treasurer outline to the house how the
government is working to protect Western Australia's fair share of GST?
(2) Is the Treasurer aware of any potential
threats?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for that
question. Of course, in 2018 this state government secured a great deal for
Western Australia: a new fair share of GST for WA. Prior to that, we saw the
Commonwealth Grants Commission formula continually driving down our percentage
of GST share. That is why it was so important in 2018, after a review by the
Productivity Commission, that WA, through this Labor government, secured a fair
share of the GST. That has enabled us, as part of our overall financial
management, to continue to drive the economy, to drive economic infrastructure
and to drive jobs. That has been a big part of the success story of this
nation. WA's economy drives the national economy. WA's financial success drives
the federal budget bottom line.
We now have a very serious issue
in front of us: a new review of the GST formula and, in particular, the deal
that was struck in 2018. That is why we have launched a comprehensive campaign
to protect our fair share of the GST. This is a deal that is working across
industry and government. We have had industry leaders wanting to be part of
this campaign because they understand, too, that a GST deal that works for WA
works for the nation. We are working with WA industry through media, both WA
and eastern states based. We are out there through our dedicated team in
Treasury, headed by the former Under Treasurer, making sure we inform media,
industry and business lobby groups over east that a GST deal that works for WA
is essential to continue to drive national economic growth and help secure the
federal bottom line.
We have seen some commentators
from over east try to take out the GST deal, try to undermine the GST deal. There
is no bigger attack than from the economic commentator Saul Eslake, who has
been undermining WA's fair share of GST for years, trying to use WA's GST share
as a punching bag in the national media. That is why it is so important that we
are on the front foot protecting WA, making sure that everyone in the nation
knows that protecting our fair share of GST works for not only WA, but also the
nation. This campaign will go through. We are not only inviting the media; we
are inviting the people of WA to also put forward
their submission as part of a comprehensive campaign that secures our fair share
of GST to make sure that we can continue national economic growth.
question. Of course, in 2018 this state government secured a great deal for
Western Australia: a new fair share of GST for WA. Prior to that, we saw the
Commonwealth Grants Commission formula continually driving down our percentage
of GST share. That is why it was so important in 2018, after a review by the
Productivity Commission, that WA, through this Labor government, secured a fair
share of the GST. That has enabled us, as part of our overall financial
management, to continue to drive the economy, to drive economic infrastructure
and to drive jobs. That has been a big part of the success story of this
nation. WA's economy drives the national economy. WA's financial success drives
the federal budget bottom line.
We now have a very serious issue
in front of us: a new review of the GST formula and, in particular, the deal
that was struck in 2018. That is why we have launched a comprehensive campaign
to protect our fair share of the GST. This is a deal that is working across
industry and government. We have had industry leaders wanting to be part of
this campaign because they understand, too, that a GST deal that works for WA
works for the nation. We are working with WA industry through media, both WA
and eastern states based. We are out there through our dedicated team in
Treasury, headed by the former Under Treasurer, making sure we inform media,
industry and business lobby groups over east that a GST deal that works for WA
is essential to continue to drive national economic growth and help secure the
federal bottom line.
We have seen some commentators
from over east try to take out the GST deal, try to undermine the GST deal. There
is no bigger attack than from the economic commentator Saul Eslake, who has
been undermining WA's fair share of GST for years, trying to use WA's GST share
as a punching bag in the national media. That is why it is so important that we
are on the front foot protecting WA, making sure that everyone in the nation
knows that protecting our fair share of GST works for not only WA, but also the
nation. This campaign will go through. We are not only inviting the media; we
are inviting the people of WA to also put forward
their submission as part of a comprehensive campaign that secures our fair share
of GST to make sure that we can continue national economic growth.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.