Prime Minister Scott Morrison has quashed any speculation that the GST deal the federal government cut with WA could be unravelled, reaffirming his support for the reforms.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has quashed any speculation that the GST deal the federal government cut with Western Australia could be unravelled, reaffirming his support for the reforms and claiming credit for the role it played in the state’s surplus.
The reforms were passed more than two years ago in a bid to create a fairer deal for WA, reforms that cut the state’s share of GST payments by $1 billion and nearly doubled its surplus.
But Premier Mark McGowan indicated that those reforms were at risk of being undone when he justified taking on the Treasury portfolio after the state election last month.
During a press conference this morning, Mr Morrison said the deal would be among the issues discussed during his meeting with Mr McGowan later today.
He stressed that the deal was not one that was in dispute, one he had a passion for, legislated and supported as a “wrong that needed to be righted”.
“This afternoon when I meet with the premier we will be discussing a number of issues, but one issue that is not in dispute and never will be and that is the GST deal for Western Australia,” he said.
“It is a deal that, as treasurer, I sponsored and, as prime minister, I legislated.
“The one person you can trust with this deal is the person who brought it about, and that is me.
“The Premier and I worked together to achieve this.
“I argued it on the west coast and, more importantly, I argued it on the east coast.
“I have said the same thing in WA as I have said in northern Queensland and South Yarra and that is that it was the right thing to do.
“It was a wrong that needed to be righted in WA.
“We were proud as a government to have taken that initiative, to have argued for that and to get it done.”
Mr Morrison kicked off his first visit to WA in more than 18 months with a tour of BHP’s FutureFit Academy in Welshpool this morning, reiterating his support for its $350 million commitment to 3,500 new employees and trainees as part of its COVID-19 recovery initiative.
The Melbourne-based global resources company program aligns with the federal government’s call for a business-led pandemic recovery and its focus on skills and training as being central to its future.
Mr Morrison said facilitating training opportunities was crucial to safeguarding the future of the resources sector; a fundamental sector for Australia.
He also confirmed that he would travel to the Mid West in the coming days to review the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Seroja and discuss further support for those affected with the premier.
The press conference was held just hours after the federal government officially opened its support hotline to deliver disaster support payments to those affected by the cyclone.
Mr Morrison extended his thoughts to those affected on behalf of the commonwealth government.
“To the people of Kalbarri, we’re standing with you,” he said.
“The phone lines have opened this morning to provide disaster recovery payment support to those in affected areas.
“That support will include a $1,000 support payment.
“These are critical support payments at a time like this.
“Call that number, your application will be dealt with over the phone and there is no need for a lot of paperwork.
“Please, reach out and you’ll get a swift response.”
