Anthony Albanese advocates for WA’s GST ahead of Productivity Commission report
Anthony Albanese says the State needs a fair deal because it’s the driver of the Australian economy.
Anthony Albanese says Australia’s largest state needs a fair deal because it’s the driver of the Australian economy.
The Prime Minister on Friday played down the impact of a Productivity Commission report which is due to come out later today reviewing the 2018 Scott Morrison-era op up payments which delivered Western Australia more of a share of the Federal pool.
The Canberra-based economic advisory body interim report will come after a year-long investigation into the payments which was designed to ensure the State received a guaranteed minimum share of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collected across Australia.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Speaking in Canberra on Friday just hours ahead of its release, the Prime Minister insisted the report was just an interim look at the Commission’s findings.
“Western Australia deserves a fair deal,” Mr Albanese said.
“They contribute to our national economy. They’re a driver of our national economy.
“This interim report… is just that an interim report.
“There’ll be a final report before the end of the year.
“This is a report that was commissioned by the Morrison government, not by our government.
“We’ll wait and see what they say at the end of the year.
“But I assure Western Australians of this: you will get your fair share because your work and what you contribute to the national economy really counts.”
Mr Albanese and Jim Chalmers have repeatedly promised not to change WA’s GST share — with the treasurer even confirming in May while in Perth during his post-Budget roadshow that the current amount the west receives is fair.
Since taking the top job in 2022, Mr Albanese has been relentlessly on the WA charm offensive — repeatedly jetted West. He also staged both his 2022 and 2025 federal election launches in Perth.
The PM’s attempts to woo the West have so far appeared to pay off, with the State flipping to a record number of Labor seats, now holding 11 of 16 seats, up dramatically from the Liberals’ 2013 record when they held 12 of 15 seats.
But with One Nation surging to record opinion poll popularity and Pauline Hanson consistently backing WA’s GST floor, touching the deal now carries even more political risk for Labor.
The final Productivity Commission report into the 2018 WA deal must be delivered to treasurer Jim Chalmers before December 31.
