State Parliament unanimous on GST floor, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 11-November-2011

Western Australian Members of Parliament from both sides stood unanimous in support of the Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP in his bid to deliver a fairer share of GST returns to the State.
 

A motion was passed in State Parliament yesterday calling on the Federal Government to support the Private Member’s Motion introduced by Mr Crook in relation to fairer GST distribution.

The motion - moved by Leader of The Nationals WA, Hon Brendon Grylls MLA and supported by the WA Treasurer, Hon Christian Porter MLA and the Leader of the Opposition Hon Eric Ripper MLA – was passed unanimously through the Legislative Assembly.
 

Mr Crook said the outcome sent a clear signal to the Federal Government and Western Australia’s Federal representatives around the significance of a GST floor for WA’s economic future.
 

“The motion to deliver a GST floor will be voted on in Canberra in less than two weeks. The WA State Parliament has sent a clear, unified message to Canberra that supporting this motion is in the best interests of our State and indeed the Nation,” Mr Crook said.
 

“WA is the engine-room of Australia’s economy. If the engine-room is starved of the fuel it needs to drive our nation, the nation will suffer.”
 

Mr Crook said WA Parliament has now sent a resounding message to Canberra.

“Western Australia has had enough of being ripped-off by the Federal Government, and we are calling on our Federal Members to take action in the best interests of the State.
 

“If the WA Federal Members are unable to support my call for a GST floor because of Party politics, then they are not representing the best interests of their electorate or their State.”
 

Hon Brendon Grylls labelled the push for a GST floor as “the most important issue facing Western Australia.”

“The Nation’s economy needs Western Australia to ramp up its economic investment because that will lead to an increase in exports – which is what makes our economy so strong,” Mr Grylls said.

“But the current GST formula will see revenue to the Western Australian government decrease and our ability to stimulate private sector investment diminish.”
 

Mr Grylls said the funding needed to grow Australia’s economic infrastructure was being redistributed to other states for non-essential projects through the unfair GST allocation.

Hon Christian Porter supported Mr Grylls’ concerns, saying the current GST formula creates a disincentive for growth.
 

“The GST formula encourages states eager for a larger slice of GST pie to highlight their disabilities in raising revenue and delivering services and discourages them from doing better,” Mr Porter said.
 

Mr Crook said he hoped to see the support of all Western Australian Members of Parliament when the motion is voted on during the next Parliamentary sitting week.
 

“I urge all Western Australian MPs to act in the best interests of their electors – the people of WA – and support a better deal for our State.”
 

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

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