Turnbull must not use Hanson words against Queensland on GST share

Published Sunday, 30 April, 2017 at 01:11 PM

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

The Turnbull Government must rule out cutting Queensland’s share of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue, as Senator Pauline Hanson and Western Australia politicians have proposed, in response to Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation Economic Impact Review it announced today.

A cut to Queensland share of the GST revenue would be another assault on our State by the Turnbull Government that has been dragged kicking and screaming to fund infrastructure in our State.

The next big test of the Turnbull Government’s commitment to Queensland will be the Federal Budget next week (9 May).

But I am very concerned Treasurer Scott Morrison, justifying the review has cited “the strong advocacy from Western Australian Coalition MPs and Senators in calling for this review”.

On behalf of the Government and all Queenslanders, Treasurer Curtis Pitt has been arguing for a fair and equitable funding for Queensland.

In March, the independent Commonwealth Grants Commission has estimated Queensland’s GST share in 2017-18 to be $14.9 billion representing an increase of $889 million on the 2016-17 GST share. The Commission adjusted upwards the relativity applied to Queensland when allocating GST shares to 1.18 from the 1.17 applied to 2016-17.

Our efforts to secure funding for the services and infrastructure Queensland needs are not helped by Senator Hanson publicly advocating for less funding for Queensland.

In January, Senator Hanson appeared to say otherwise in an interview on Perth radio station 6PR.

"Will you, Senator Hanson, help us in Western Australia in this fight, and would you be willing to see the GST share of your home state Queensland reduced so that WA can get a better deal?" Senator Hanson was asked.

"Of course I will — no problem," Senator Hanson said.

No, it’s a big problem for 4.8 million Queenslanders.