World News
Productivity Commission criticizes WA premier's rhetoric following GST report
Commissioner Angela Jackson stated that personal attacks on the agency's integrity crossed a line after Premier Roger Cook called commissioners 'east coast clowns'.
The short version
- Productivity Commissioner Angela Jackson condemned Western Australian Premier Roger Cook's remarks calling commissioners 'east coast clowns' following an interim report on the state's GST distribution deal.
- The commission's interim report concluded that the 2018 GST legislation failed its objectives, reduced fairness, and allocated an additional $23 billion to Western Australia.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruled out any changes to the current GST arrangements while in office, a stance Jackson called disappointing ahead of the commission's final report due later this year.
Key facts
- Productivity Commissioner Angela Jackson stated that WA Premier Roger Cook crossed a line by calling commissioners 'east coast clowns' and labeling their GST report deceitful.[The Guardian]
- The Productivity Commission's interim report found that 2018 GST legislation funneled an extra $23 billion in taxpayer money to Western Australia while failing to meet its intended goals.[The Guardian]
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated there would be no changes to Western Australia's GST arrangements during his tenure as prime minister.[The Guardian]
- The Productivity Commission plans to conduct additional consultations before delivering its final GST report by the end of the year.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain whether the Productivity Commission's final recommendations will differ from its interim report following upcoming stakeholder consultations.[The Guardian]