Ben Morton (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I congratulate all WA Liberal members and senators for their work to date to achieve real reform of the GST distribution. The commitment by this government to a floor in the GST is a commitment only made by the Liberal side of politics. I am pleased that both sides of politics in Western Australia have welcomed the Productivity Commission inquiry in horizontal fiscal equalisation.

As the Treasurer noted, this review has only happened through the strong advocacy from WA Liberal members and senators. For too long WA has expressed outrage about the GST because, rightly, it is a travesty. The perverse distribution of GST is impacting our national economy. Australia will benefit from GST reform that rewards and incentivises productivity and economic development—nation-wide.

I welcome the work done by the Minerals Council, a national peak body taking leadership to get real reform. I also welcome the advocacy of the WA CCI—championing WA. I expect their success will be measured on whether they can convince national peak organisations across Australia, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, not only to understand the need for reform but also to make submissions to the Productivity Commission inquiry that supports GST reform in the national interest.

I encourage all individuals and organisations wanting real, long-lasting GST reform that benefits Australia to make their submissions, by 30 June, to the Productivity Commission.