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

I would like to make some comments about WA's pathetic share of GST, the work that WA Liberal members and senators have been doing to fix this and how, appallingly, our WA Labor members have turned their backs on Western Australia. When the Treasurer announced the Productivity Commission inquiry into the GST, he said that it only happened through the strong advocacy from every single WA Liberal member and senator. Collectively, the WA Liberals submitted a detailed submission to the GST inquiry in consultation with industry and following extensive consultations with our communities. WA federal Labor also made their submission, and it has been ripped to shreds by the press and their party's own state leadership. Disregarding WA, they said the WA federal Labor members seek an outcome to this situation but one that doesn't negatively impact on other states and territories. In response, Roger Cook, the Deputy Premier, didn't hold back. He said:

If they haven't supported the State Government's position they need to take more notice of it.

Mr Cook said:

It’s time that people get real about this …

In The Sunday Times they went further, saying, 'The WA federal Labor members and senators have hung out to dry not only WA but also their state colleagues.' WA Liberals have a strong record of arguing for GST reform. We'll work with the government in response to the Productivity Commission inquiry to deliver long-lasting and real reform. WA federal Labor members need to join the WA Liberals—