Business and community leaders from across New South Wales have joined the Minns Labor Government in calling for an overhaul of the broken and unfair GST distribution system.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will take their message to the Commonwealth Productivity Commission today, when he tells a public hearing that every Australian deserves a fair share of the GST.
An Australian living and working in Coogee in Sydney should receive the same government support as an Australian living and working in Coogee in Perth.
The independent Productivity Commission has exposed the current GST distribution arrangement as an expensive failure.
Its landmark report has prompted NSW unions and business, welfare organisations and property developers, city and country mayors to come together to demand a fairer way forward.
As drivers of the nation’s largest state economy, accounting for approximately a third of Australia’s economic output, they are united in calling for a carve-up that’s transparent and equitable.
The action includes advertisements in major newspapers calling for change, and directing readers to a NSW Government web page.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
“All Australians have an equal claim on essential services – but the GST system has not been based on this principle for eight years now.
“That’s why so many groups are coming together to support reform in newspaper ads today: unions and business, welfare organisations and property developers, city and country mayors.
“A cause that can unite this much support is hard to ignore.”
Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said:
“We joined this broad coalition in advocating for the interest of the people of NSW. Until we get a fair and reliable share of our GST, further productivity reforms to our state’s revenue sources are unlikely.”
