Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been forced to reiterate his commitment to WA’s GST deal after breaking promises on tax policy in the federal budget.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been forced to reiterate his commitment to Western Australia’s GST deal after breaking promises on tax policy in the federal budget.
Mr Albanese was in Perth on Tuesday morning, when he and Premier Roger Cook were asked if voters could trust the deal’s future.
“We support WA getting its fair share of GST because that’s the right policy for the nation, just like we’re putting forward the right policy when it comes to housing,” Mr Albanese said.
Mr Cook stepped forward at the press conference when asked if he trusted the prime minister.
“Oh, absolutely. The prime minister's given us a rock-solid commitment that Western Australia will receive its fair share of the GST,” Mr Cook said.
The Productivity Commission is currently reviewing the 2018 GST deal which secured WA its 75 cents in the dollar minimum floor.
In this month’s budget, the Cook government booked in more than $9 billion in GST.
“I’ve been here 42 times to WA since I’ve been in office,” Mr Albanese said.
“I back WA. WA has an important role to play in the economy.”
Mr Albanese and Mr Cook were at a new social and affordable housing development in East Perth as part of the post-budget sell.
“There are 219 new apartments, 66 social homes, 44 affordable homes,” the prime minister said.
“109 are market rental apartments, including 10 specialist disability apartments as well.”
The prime minister also announced his government had secured 600,000 barrels of jet fuel from China.
“The three cargoes of jet fuel are expected to arrive in late May and are in addition to the 100,000 barrels we’ve already secured,” he said.
“I can also announce that we have secured 28.5 tonnes of agricultural grade urea for Australian farmers, producers and our agricultural industry.
“This fertiliser will be coming directly here to WA.”
