Victoria
Roger Cook attacks eastern states over proposed GST changes
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has reacted angrily to a proposed shake-up of the national GST distribution formula.
Western Australia's funding arrangement has once again become a major political battleground following a new proposal to alter the distribution of the Goods and Services Tax.
According to a wire report, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has reacted angrily to an explosive proposed shake-up of the GST carve-up. The Premier directed his frustration at critics from the eastern states, describing those advocating for the changes as "east-coast clowns".
The specific details of the proposed overhaul remain thin, and it is not yet confirmed which organisations or political figures drafted the latest report. However, the proposal has already reignited long-standing geographic tensions over how federal tax revenue is split.
The distribution of the GST has been a highly sensitive issue in Australian politics for years. Under a deal struck in 2018, Western Australia is guaranteed a return of at least 70 cents in the dollar, which is scheduled to rise to 75 cents. Eastern states have repeatedly complained about the arrangement, arguing it deprives them of essential funding for hospitals, schools and infrastructure.
Mr Cook's strong language indicates that Western Australia will fiercely resist any attempt to wind back its protected share of the tax revenue. The state government has previously argued that its strong resources sector keeps the national economy afloat and deserves to be protected from revenue redistribution.
Other state premiers and federal treasury officials have not yet released formal statements responding to the latest proposal.
Watch for whether federal and state leaders respond to Mr Cook's comments in the coming days.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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