Prime Minister’s promises to WA bad news for Tasmania
Threat to health and education funding if GST formula is changed
Premier’s premature claims of victory
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s weekend in Western Australia has heightened the threat to Tasmania’s share of the GST.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the Prime Minister left the door wide open to a change that would badly hurt Tasmania.
“Malcolm Turnbull has promised Western Australia the rules will be changed,” Ms White said.
“A floor for Western Australia would mean a big cut for Tasmania, which would severely limit our ability to fund health and education.
“It’s telling that the Prime Minister discussed the GST at the WA conference but didn’t mention it when he visited Launceston last month.
“It appears it’s not a matter of if the Prime Minister will change the GST but when.
“In contrast, Bill Shorten proposed a deal for Western Australia that wouldn’t affect the amount of GST revenue the other states receive.
“The Premier has claimed victory when it comes to the GST on multiple occasions but each time it’s proved to be premature.
“In May this year I offered the Premier Labor’s support to put forward a bipartisan case to protect Tasmania’s share. Unfortunately the Premier rejected my genuine offer.
“Four months later the threat to our share is still there and it’s increasingly clear the Premier is not being heard by the Prime Minister.
“As long as the Liberals remain in power, the threat to Tasmania’s share of the GST won’t go away.”
Rebecca White MP Labor Leader
