The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has received an assurance from the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, that any change to the GST formula that sends smaller states backwards would not be acceptable.
“I was horrified to learn this morning that the Federal Opposition Leader has reportedly backed the Liberal states’ push for GST to be distributed on a per capita basis,” Mr Wilkie said.
“What Tony Abbott is apparently saying is that Tasmania’s share of GST should be slashed, which would have disastrous consequences for the State, and in particular its capacity to run schools and hospitals.”
Mr Wilkie raised the issue with Mr Swan this morning.
“I stressed to the Treasurer that the Government must not support any changes to the GST formula that would result in Tasmania receiving any less GST,” Mr Wilkie said.
“In return the Treasurer agreed that any changes that would disadvantage smaller states like Tasmania would not be acceptable to the Commonwealth Government.”
Mr Wilkie also raised his concerns with Mr Abbott’s office this morning.
“Mr Abbott will be in no doubt that Tasmanians are mightily displeased with any suggestion that their fair share of GST would be cut and redirected to the big states which are doing very nicely from the resources boom,” he said.
• ABC Online: State Libs to fight Abbott over GST changes
State Liberals have vowed to fight Tony Abbott and Liberal Premiers over their support for changes to the GST carve up.
The Federal Liberal leader Tony Abbott has backed a proposal to distribute GST revenue on a per-capita basis.
The move could see Tasmania lose up to $700 million in revenue because of its smaller population.
It has dumbfounded the Tasmanian Liberal leader, Will Hodgman, who says Mr Abbott has got it wrong.
Mr Hodgman says he has sought an urgent meeting with Mr Abbott to fight out the issue.
“I will resist any effort by any federal government to alter what is an equitable share of commonwealth revenues to each of the states and I’m seeking to meet with Mr Abbott face-to-face as soon as possible to strongly reinforce my opposition to any such move,” he said.
The Coalition premiers of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia are all pushing for a larger slice of the GST revenue based on population.
Per capita distribution would benefit larger states, but could see a small state like Tasmania lose up to $700 million in federal funding.
Audio: Will Hodgman says he will strongly oppose GST changes. (ABC News)
Mr Hodgman says he will go head-to-head with other premiers on the issue.
“More than happy, more than happy and prepared to have that fight and (tell) the West Australians, for example, of how in the past they’ve been the beneficiaries of the current arrangement; the system to equitably distribute GST revenues.”
Tasmania’s Deputy Greens leader has praised Mr Hodgman’s stance.
Tim Morris says any GST revenue from activities like mining belong to all Australians.
Read the rest, ABC Online here
First published: 2012-05-02 03:35 AM
• GREENS SEEK URGENT MEETING WITH FEDS ON HEALTH
Push for Single Funder Model Trial in Tasmania
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens have written to the Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek seeking an urgent meeting to push for fundamental reform of health funding in Tasmania.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said it was urgent to press the case with Minister Plibersek for Tasmania to become a trial for a single-funder model for healthcare delivery.
“The Greens aren’t prepared to wait any longer for the State Health Minister to pursue this matter with her Federal Government counterpart,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“While we recognise Ms O’Byrne’s stated support for a single-funder model, Tasmanians are still waiting for action.”
“The Greens are not prepared to keep waiting, and therefore we are seeking to initiate discussions on an appropriate trial model ourselves.”
“We believe the model needs to ensure health planning is centred around patient and community needs and that local control over service delivery is maintained.”
“The Greens have not heard any plausible arguments against Tasmania being used as a trial state for a single funder model, as a way to address the massive duplication, inefficiency, and blame shifting within health.”
“Nothing is more important than our health, and time is running out to fix our broken healthcare funding model before the situation becomes catastrophic.”
“The cost of healthcare is expected to outstrip the entire state budget by 2030, and neither the State nor the Federal Health Minister seems to fully grasp the gravity of the situation.”
“The Greens have been pushing for Tasmania to become a pilot for a single-funder model since we hosted a Health Round Table, where medical experts and industry representatives voiced strong support for the idea,” Mr O’Halloran said.
DOWNLOAD Letter to Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek from Tasmanian Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran.
May3_E-Letter_P_OHalloran_to_Minister_Plibersek_2_May2012_ATTACH.pdf
• ABC Online: Abbott backs away …
The Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, has backed away from his support for the GST to be carved up on a per capita basis.
Mr Abbott is in Tasmania, a state which would lose up to $700 million under the change proposed by bigger, Coalition-held states.
Mr Abbott said a Coalition Government would not short change Tasmania.
Earlier this week in Western Australia, he said the Government should seriously consider the per capita proposal.
“I think it’s very important that perceptions of fairness be addressed and the best way to tackle that is to see far more transparency in the whole distribution of monies,” he said.
