The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has commented on leaked GST carve-up figures which will see Tasmania’s share for 2018-19 reduce by 0.1%.
“The Prime Minister must step in today and act to protect Tasmania’s share of the GST,” Mr Wilkie said.
“0.1% may not seem like a lot of money but when you consider that our total share of the GST last year was $2.4bn, that’s nearly $65 million that we’re losing. This is money that Tasmania desperately needs to fund essential services.
“This will hit Tasmanians especially hard because our population has a higher reliance on government services, and let’s not forget that GST payments from the Federal Government make up around 40% of the Tasmanian budget.
“The Premier, Will Hodgman, must immediately get on the phone to his Liberal Party colleagues in Canberra and do whatever he can to stop this from going ahead.
“Blindly following the recommendation of the Commonwealth Grants Commission may help Malcolm Turnbull’s chances in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, but it will be very bad news for Tasmania.
“This plan must be stopped immediately and the Prime Minister and Premier must reassure Tasmanians today that they will indeed stop it.”
Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie
