Some of Western Australia’s most influential leaders have united to defend the State’s GST deal, and they’re calling on the community to back them.
Backing CCIWA’s GST campaign is CCIWA Chief Economist Daniel Kiely, Argenica Pharmaceuticals’ Liz Dallimore; Satterley Property Group’s Nigel Satterley, Poynton Stavrianou’s John Poynton, Garlett Group’s Emma Garlett, Eagles legend John Worsfold and CCIWA CEO Will Golsby
Former Eagles player and coach John Worsfold has joined Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest, Wesfarmers chair Michael Chaney, business leaders John Poynton and Liz Dallimore, developer Nigel Satterley, UWA chancellor Diane Smith-Gander and Indigenous businesswoman Emma Garlett in backing CCIWA’s campaign.
Together, they are urging Western Australians to stand up for the State by signing a public petition launched on WA Day.
The campaign sends a clear message to Canberra: keep WA’s GST deal intact.
CCIWA Chief Economist Dr Daniel Kiely said the issue affected every Western Australian.
“Don’t change WA’s GST deal,” he said.
“This is an issue that impacts every Western Australian. If WA loses its GST safety net, it means less funding for the services and infrastructure our State relies on.”
Why it matters
CCIWA has long fought for a fair share of GST for WA, playing a central role in securing the 2018 reforms that guaranteed the State would not fall below 75 cents in the dollar.
That deal is now under review by the Productivity Commission, putting billions of dollars at risk.
Without it, WA would be around $6 billion a year worse off, despite its outsized contribution to the national economy.
Kiely said Western Australians understood what was at stake.
“People in WA know that our State is the economic engine-room of the nation, propping up the Federal Budget and lifting the standard of living for all Australians,” he said.
“That would undermine the services and infrastructure needed to keep WA strong and allow us to keep driving the nation’s prosperity.”
Strong public backing – now it’s time to act
Community support for the GST deal is already strong, with research showing four in five Western Australians want it retained.
Now, business leaders are urging that support to turn into action.
By signing the petition, Western Australians can send a clear signal to the Federal Government that the State’s GST safety net must be protected.
To support the GST safety net, the petition can be signed here: keepingwastrong.com.au/GST
To find out more about what we stand for, visit our Policy and Advocacy page.
