When the 2018 reforms happened, the Tasmanian Liberal Government backed the deal in. They told Tasmanians we would be $112 million better off. They attacked then‑Labor Leader Rebecca White for opposing it.
And now, years later, they have quietly admitted they got it wrong.
Labor is not prepared to sit back and accept this. We have lodged a submission to the Productivity Commission’s review of the GST arrangements and I have met with the Commission to argue Tasmania’s case. Because the consequences of this broken system are now hitting home.
Tasmania is at a fiscal crossroads. GST revenue makes up 40 cents of every dollar the State Government receives. At the same time, we are facing record deficits and a net debt that is forecast to double within four years. The government has already breached 10 of the 11 fiscal benchmarks it set for itself and our credit rating has been downgraded.
Tasmania simply cannot afford for this GST review to fail. That is why Tasmanian Labor is calling on the Australian Government to restore the previous system of fiscal equalisation and stop funnelling billions to Western Australia at the expense of every other state.
The current GST deal is unfair, unsustainable and morally wrong. It’s time to restore fairness, rebuild trust in our Federation and ensure every Australian – especially Tasmanians – get the fair go they were promised.
