Queensland short-changed again in Canberra’s latest GST carve-up

• Slap in the face for Queensland as it’s short-changed again in Canberra’s GST carve-up.
• Queensland is the only state to receive less GST than three years ago despite an almost 20 per cent jump in national GST payments.
• Renewed call for Treasurer Chalmers to restore fair GST distribution through the Productivity Commission review.  

Queenslanders have been dudded by Canberra – again - with the latest GST carve-up showing the State’s allocation continues to lag behind, while others surge ahead. 

Despite inheriting significant financial challenges from the former Labor Government after a decade of fiscal vandalism, a record $2.3 billion was cut from Queensland’s GST revenue in 2025-26 by the Albanese Government.  

The national GST pie grew by around $4.5 billion at the same time.  

Queensland has received a headline GST lift in 2026-27, but a recovery from the record-low share of GST in 2025-26 should not be confused as a GST gain. 

Despite the national pool increasing by almost 20 per cent over the past three years, Queensland will be the only state or territory allocated less GST in 2026–27 than 2023-24. 

Queensland’s GST recovery in 2026-27 ($423 per capita) is still less than the year-on-year GST gains of Western Australia ($431 per capita), Tasmania ($478) and the Northern Territory ($1,436 per capita). 

Further, while national GST payments are expected to increase to 80 per cent in the decade to 2026-27, Queensland’s GST has grown by only 37 per cent, well behind New South Wales’ 63 per cent increase and Victoria’s 112 per cent increase.  

Queensland is open for business under the Crisafulli Government, and securing new investment for a stronger economy and more jobs is a priority to reverse Labor’s decade of decline, but Queenslanders don’t need another slap in the face with the GST carve up.  

Treasurer David Janetzki said the Albanese Government had short-changed Queensland yet again in its GST carve up.  

“Queensland has been dudded again by Canberra and the Federal Government, who continue to short-change Queenslanders with GST,” Treasurer Janetzki said. 

“Queensland should be getting its fair share of the GST pie, not playing second-fiddle to a second-rate distribution model designed to dud us.  

“As a fellow Queenslander, I call on Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers to do the right thing by Queensland. 

“Despite having the highest net interstate migration, most decentralised population, increasing demands for essential services and being a growing driver in the national economy, our share is growing less than elsewhere.  

“States should not be penalised for their continued contribution to industries that drive national wealth, yet, under the existing GST distribution methodology, that’s what’s happening.