Premier Roger Cook flies out to Canberra to secure Prime Minister’s promise to protect WA’s fair share

Team WA has flown out to Canberra in a bid to protect the State’s cut of the GST, as a $1 million advertising blitz is rolled out to win over the Eastern States. Premier Roger Cook, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti and former under-treasurer Michael Barnes have lined up meetings with the Albanese Government this week, despite repeated promises that it won’t change the formula that guarantees WA 75 per cent of every GST dollar raised. The Treasurer said other States are arguing against WA. “In particular, the commentariat, the media, and also, I think, you know, the politicians on both sides of the Parliament across all other States have been engaged, and they’re applying pressure,” Ms Saffioti said. “So this is about making sure everyone understands that this isn’t just about WA, this is in the national interest, and that eroding our ability to drive jobs and economic development impacts the national economy. And it’s about gaining some respect.” Basil Zempilas queried why it was necessary for the Cook Government to personally lobby the Prime Minister on the issue. “It does speak volumes for the lack of confidence that our State Labor leaders have in their Federal Labor counterparts, that they can’t trust them to advocate on behalf of WA over in Canberra,” the Opposition Leader said. “The most important thing here is that WA do not suffer by a reduced GST deal, and however that is advocated for by our leaders, I welcome. “They are going over East. I accept that, but I also accept that the fact that they are getting on the plane would suggest that there is a lack of confidence in the message that has been delivered by our federal labor MP’s.” A verbal spat erupted between Ms Saffioti and Saul Eslake last week, when the Tasmanian economist — who has called WA’s GST deal the “worst public policy decision of the 21st century” — landed in Perth for a paid appearance. Mr Eslake argued that WA is using the GST revenue to fund multi-billion surpluses and spends less, per-state product, than the national average on industry investment. Ms Saffioti said WA’s GST is still subsidising recipient states, including Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria, to the tune of $2.5 billion. “I haven’t checked his figures, I would hazard a guess that our figure would be much higher than Tasmania’s for example,” Ms Saffioti said. “There’s enormous demand on economic infrastructure in this state . . . the analysis that I do have the top on the top of my head, is in relation to our share of the budget that comes from the Commonwealth, in relation to Commonwealth revenue, it is by far the lowest of any State or Territory.”