Iconic Western Australian business Spudshed has joined forces with CCIWA in its fight to keep WA’s current GST share.
Spudshed is the latest WA business to throw its support behind the CCIWA Campaign to ensure that WA is not disadvantaged by the outcome of a federal review of the state’s GST arrangements.
Spudshed owner, Tony Galati, said the GST safety net was working for WA and the nation, and shouldn’t be reduced.
“Spudshed is a proud West Aussie business, and we share the fear that WA will go back to the old system, which only gave us back 30 cents in every dollar,” he said.
“We all pay GST, and even under the current model WA gets the least back of any state or territory.
“People in WA are hardworking, and we keep the national economy strong. We don’t want to see even more of our hard-earned money heading over east.”
Mr Galati urged everyone in WA to get behind the campaign and sign the petition at keepingwastrong.com.au
“This is an issue we all need to be aware of, because if the current GST safety net is taken away it will be hard to get it back.
“It might seem like a complicated economic issue, but what it boils down to will be less money for the services and infrastructure every day West Aussies rely on.”
CCIWA Chief Economist, Dr Daniel Kiely, said having the backing of the “Spud King” highlighted the importance of WA’s GST fight.
“Tony Galati isn’t just a WA icon, he’s also one of our state’s most successful businesspeople,” he said.
“Having the support of Tony and the Galati group, along with the many other distinguished Western Australians who have joined this fight, shows what’s at stake for WA.
“We cannot afford to go backwards when it comes to WA’s GST share, and we can’t take anything for granted.
“The Prime Minister has promised repeatedly that WA’s GST deal won’t change but we know he will come under immense pressure from the East Coast to change that view.
“Our campaign aims to send a clear message to Canberra that WA’s GST safety net is not up for grabs.”
The Productivity Commission’s review of WA’s GST arrangements is due to hand down an interim report in August.
