QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says services could face cuts if her state loses its GST share to Western Australia.
Ms Palaszczuk is adamant national partnership agreements, which guarantee health and education funding, should continue.
The federal government is considering a new carve-up of the GST at COAG this week favouring WA, which has seen a dramatic downturn in revenue, at the expense of other states.
The premier says Queensland could face cuts of up to $500 million to services, and it’s up to every federal politician from the state to support her stance.
“The reality is if that money does not flow on to Queensland, I believe that services will suffer,” she said.
“I will not cop losing half a billion dollars that is entitled to come to Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“And I do not want to see that, and that is why I am calling on every federal MP and every federal senator to back in my position as I head to Canberra.” Ms Palaszczuk is sure that all the states hold the same opinion, except for WA.
She said it was a national issue because the independent umpire, the Commonwealth Grants Commission, has already said there should be no change.
The premier said the Commonwealth had not overturned the commission’s ruling in 30 years.
“Now the federal government is seeking to say to the states ‘you sort it out’,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Well, no there’s an independent commission that has made that decision, so it’s about time that the Commonwealth also abides by that.”
“Queensland does not deserve to suffer. I expect Tony Abbott to be a reasonable man, I expect Tony Abbott to not want to cut half a billion in GST funding to Queensland.
“It is Queensland’s entitlement. I will be raising this issue and I am sure that my other colleagues in other states are in agreement — probably except Western Australia.”
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg backed Ms Palaszczuk’s call.
“There should not be money taken away from Queensland to give to Western Australia. We stand side by side with this government on that,” he said.
“Queensland should get its fair share of GST revenue and the LNP in Queensland and State Parliament will always fight for that. We wold oppose any moves to the contrary by anyone.”
Mr Springborg also took a swipe at Senator Canavan for backing WA.
“My role as the leader of the LNP in Queensland and those that actually are involved in the LNP in Queensland, their primary responsibility is to Queenslanders.”