The Nationals WA Candidate for O’Connor, John Hassell has lashed out at Western Australia’s Federal MPs, saying they have not done enough to secure GST funding for WA.
Yesterday’s State Budget revealed the projected five year loss of GST revenue to be estimated at $17.8 billion.
Mr Hassell pointed to comments made this morning by WA Treasurer Dr Mike Nahan, who expressed his disappointment in WA’s Federal Liberal representatives in Government.
“With four Ministers at the Cabinet table, the WA Liberals should be able to argue for a greater GST share,” Mr Hassell said.
“Instead, they simply toe the party line in Canberra, leaving the WA State Government to foot the bill.”
“Dr Nahan is right to be disappointed in these Federal Ministers, who are not standing up for Western Australia and not doing their jobs.
“Why would anyone vote for the Liberal Party when it is now clearly evident they cannot deliver for WA.”
Mr Hassell challenged all Federal MPs and Senators to do their job and stand up to their Eastern States-dominated party room, rather than toe the party line.
The Nationals WA Senate Candidate, Kado Muir, agreed with Mr Hassell’s comments.
“We have 12 Senators who aren’t doing their jobs in Federal Parliament,” Mr Muir said.
“Former Nationals Member for O’Connor Tony Crook was the instigator of the GST debate in the Federal Parliament, and we will seek to continue his good work in Canberra.
“The Nationals WA are the only party who can be trusted to stand up for the interests of Western Australia.”
Fact File
- If the State received back a fair share of GST returns, State debt could be almost halved.
- $17.8 billion equates to about nine Fiona Stanley Hospitals, or almost twenty years of Royalties for Regions funding.
