WA Liberals will not support Premier, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 18-August-2011

WA Liberal MPs have indicated they will not support a motion that would deliver billions of dollars in additional GST revenue back into Western Australia (The West Australian, Crook leads push to end GST ‘rip-off’, 18 August 2011).

Nationals WA Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP has tabled a motion in Parliament this week to establish a 75 per cent floor on GST relativities – however, he has been met with opposition before the motion has even been spoken on in the House of Representatives.

“WA Liberal MPs have already indicated they will not support this motion, which directly contradicts calls by the WA Premier Colin Barnett and the WA Treasurer Christian Porter to establish a floor on GST relativities,” Mr Crook said.

“I find it disappointing that WA’s elected representatives will not fight to deliver a better deal for their constituents, and will not support their own Premier on an issue that affects all Western Australians.”

Mr Crook said comments made by the Liberals in relation to his motion stank of Party politics.

“WA Liberal MPs need to take a step back from Party politics and focus on what is best for their constituents and their state. This is why they were elected.

Mr Crook also questioned how the Liberal Candidate for O’Connor would respond to this issue.

“Will he back a better deal that delivers billions of dollars into the state, or will he roll-over and play Party politics like his fellow WA Liberal MPs?”

With the motion set to be heard in the House of Representatives in coming weeks, Mr Crook said he hoped the WA Liberals would see the benefits of supporting the motion.

“A GST floor will deliver billions of dollars back into our state, while still allowing WA to continue contributing to the Commonwealth.

“In 2014-15, this GST floor would deliver an estimated $2.5 billion back into our state. This is more than double the entire Royalties for Regions budget for the same year.

“There has to be a limit to the GST rip-off, and establishing a GST floor is the fairest way to do so.”

This Sunday, August 21, will mark the one year anniversary for Mr Crook in the Federal Parliament.

“At this time last year, I was elected as the representative of O’Connor to deliver a better deal for my electorate and Western Australia, and I am fully prepared to do just that.

“I was elected on a clear mandate to reverse the rip-off and get a better deal for WA. This motion will ensure WA does not miss out on billions of dollars of revenue in future years.”

Further information on WA’s GST rip-off can be found online at www.tonycrook.com.au.

See this article on the member's website