❓ Mr Baker questions the Premier on actions to ensure WA receives its fair share of GST and how this will support jobs and business opportunities. The Premier emphasizes WA's contribution to the national economy and the importance of maintaining current GST arrangements for investment in jobs, services, and infrastructure.

GST—Distribution83.Mr Geoff Bakerto the Premier:I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to continue to deliver strong budget management so that Western Australia remains the strongest economy in the nation.(1) Can the Premier outline to the house what actions the government is taking to ensure that Western Australia continues to get its fair share of the GST?(2) Can the Premier advise the house how getting our fair share will mean we can continue to provide qualityjobs and business opportunities for Western Australians?

Mr Roger Cook replied:(1)–(2) We know that Western Australia does the heavy lifting when it comes to the national economy, and we know that we underpin the standard of living that those on the other side of the country take for granted. We are the engine room of the national economy, and that is why we need to continue to ensure that we have the resources we need to make the investments to keep the national economy going. We know that investments that keep industries growing are therefore a benefit to the entire country. Western Australians know that our state getting its fair share of the GST is crucial to ensure that those investments continue, and that getting our fair share of the GST is crucial for WA to support major projects that create local jobs and invest in essential services for Western Australian families.Our economy is the strongest in the nation, and we want to keep it that way. That is why it is vital that the GST reforms secured by WA Labor in 2018 are maintained. We fought hard for those changes, and we are fighting hard once again. Western Australians have joined us in that fight. They have spoken loud and clear. Over 6,000 people have taken the time to have their say on the future of our GST share through the Productivity Commission's review. The feedback has been overwhelming. Western Australians want to keep the GST share fair. In fact, they will not accept anything less. Their feedback also demonstrates that they value our priorities—the priorities of jobs, health and housing. Western Australians want us to deliver crucial infrastructure and services. There is only one way that we can provide the investments inroads, ports and utilities needed to support nationally significant projects, and that is by Western Australia getting its fair share of the GST. We are not demanding more. We are demanding more of the same—a fair and reasonable share of the GST. Our current allocation is working for Western Australia. It is working. Let us keep it that way. Let us not put the brakes on the WA economy. Let us not put the brakes on the national economy. Let us keep the pressure on any doubters over east and keep our GST share fair. GST—Distribution