Productivity Commission and Premier clash over GST distribution model
What happened
A Productivity Commission report from August found that Western Australia was the only state to benefit from a 2018 GST distribution tweak, and that the mining powerhouse was over-funded for its needs. In response, Premier Roger Cook criticized the report as "dumb" and the Commission as "clowns." Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood later responded to the attacks, stating that name-calling was replacing evidence-based debate.
From standard.net.au
Why it matters
The dispute involves a long-running debate about state funding from the tax. The Productivity Commission's analysis of Western Australia's economic role and its GST arrangement is central to the discussion.
A recent report analyzed Western Australia's economic role, prompting Roger Cook to criticize the Productivity Commission's findings and contrast Western Australia's success with the needs of New South Wales.
From standard.net.au
Who's involved
- Productivity CommissionAustralian Government's principal review and advisory body on microeconomic policy
- Roger CookWestern Australia Premier who challenged the Commission's findings on GST distribution
- Western AustraliaState of Australia whose GST funding model was analyzed by the Commission
- Danielle WoodChair of the Productivity Commission who addressed the political attacks
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Western AustraliaSpeculative
Western Australia might face changes in its fiscal standing and GST funding model due to the political challenge.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Productivity Commission
Australian Government's principal review and advisory body on microeconomic policy and regulation
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Roger Cook
Australian politician
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