Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I want to assure members opposite that we will certainly keep our commitments but on the subject of the GST, as is well known, any change to the GST is a matter for the states. What I want to say to members opposite is that we should be prepared to look at whether we can make our federation work better. Federation reform, if it is to take place, it has to be owned by the states as much as by the Commonwealth; it has to be something which is participated in by both sides of politics. If it is to be worth doing, it has also got to involve clearer lines of accountability and responsibility; it has got to involve more transparency in government. What I would like to see come out of any reform of the Federation, just as I would like see come from any reform of the tax system, is, overall, a clear commitment right across our country to lower, simpler, fairer taxes.

Ms Macklin interjecting—

That is what we are on about—

Ms Macklin interjecting—

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