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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-07-04 Daily Xml
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Goods and Services Tax

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:56): My question is to the Deputy Premier. Has the government been advised or sought advice from the commonwealth on any impacts to GST distributions to the state of South Australia?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:57): I can't answer that question specifically, but what I will say is this: there are and have been over the last few years considerable conversations about how GST should apply in Australia in its distribution. We have heard, of course, of a Productivity Commission report and recommendations put. Fortunately, productivity commissions don't make decisions about these matters. Mature governments resolve how they progress and ensure that if there is reform in relation to goods and services tax distribution, it be subsequent to that discussion. That is progressing and the Premier and Treasurer are active in that arena.

Consistently the Premier has made the statement, supported by the Treasurer, that any diminution of funds distributed to South Australia in respect of the GST distribution would disadvantage our state and is not something that would be acceptable certainly to our side of the parliament and in government. I think it is a matter that all South Australians need to be aware of and understand the significance of. Tax reform which has a detrimental or deleterious effect in relation to the overall revenue for this state is very significant given the reasons why, obviously, we are part of a fiscal equalisation program which we have continued to fight for on this side of the house.

What I would ask the Leader of the Opposition to do on behalf of the opposition in this state is to make sure that he has a commitment from the federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten, in respect of his taxation reforms, which clearly will have a deleterious effect on the whole of Australia but particularly our state. If he wants to take up—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —tax reform—

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —as a matter of which there is dialogue—

Mr Duluk interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Waite is called to order.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —in the interests of South Australians, then pick up the phone and speak to Bill Shorten and make sure he has a very clear view from South Australia's opposition as to what you expect of him, because woe betide the day—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —if he becomes the Prime Minister of this country.

The SPEAKER: Leader! The member for Frome has been patiently waiting.

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