Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook has drawn a line in the sand, declaring he will hold Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accountable for his promise to protect the state's crucial GST revenue stream. The warning comes amid growing concerns that federal budget pressures could threaten WA's hard-won GST deal.
The stakes couldn't be higher for Western Australia, with billions of dollars in essential services and infrastructure projects hanging in the balance. Premier Cook has made it clear that any attempt to slash WA's slice of the GST pie would be met with fierce resistance.
A Promise That Must Be Kept
"We will hold the Prime Minister to his promise," Cook stated emphatically, reminding all parties of the commitment made during intense negotiations that established the current GST distribution framework. The Premier's firm stance reflects the critical importance of this revenue stream for funding everything from hospitals and schools to road projects across the state.
Why This Matters for Every Western Australian
The GST battle isn't just political posturing—it's about ensuring Western Australia receives its fair share after years of being short-changed. The current arrangement, fought for and won after extensive advocacy, finally corrected what many described as a fundamentally unfair system that saw WA contributing significantly more than it received.
With economic headwinds gathering and budget pressures mounting at both state and federal levels, Premier Cook's vigilance sends a clear message: Western Australia won't go back to being the poor cousin in the federation. The state's economic strength remains vital to the nation's prosperity, and fair GST distribution is non-negotiable.
As the debate over GST distribution continues to evolve, all eyes remain on Canberra to see whether the Albanese government will honour its commitment to Western Australia or risk facing the political consequences of breaking a crucial promise.
