‘A costly mistake’: new review finds giving WA billions in extra GST was unfair to other states

By Robert Breunig, Professor of Economics and Director, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

The Productivity Commission has recommended undoing the controversial 2018 changes to the distribution of goods and services tax (GST) revenue between the states that has cost taxpayers A$23 billion.

It has proposed reinstating the system that existed before the Morrison government’s deal that gave billions of dollars in extra funds to Western Australia, at the expense of the other states.

The commission’s 124-page interim report finds the reforms were “a costly mistake” and “have not…

Read complete article

~	Worried your toddler isn’t getting enough iron? Here’s what parents need to know

~	A-level results: key takeaways for language learning

~	Don’t know what to do after your exams? Six ways to find your next step

~	Why children often eat less in hot weather – and when parents should worry

~	Got ice-cream brain freeze? Here’s what is happening

~	Why snake venom may have evolved to catch dinner, not for defence

~	Russia bets on ballistic missiles to combat the success of Ukraine’s drone warfare

~	Safe havens protect Australian mammals from invasive predators. Why aren’t they working for other animal groups?

~	Why the $2.5 billion Tomago aluminium deal is no ordinary bailout

~	As Brisbane 2032 gets closer, Australian girls are quitting organised sports. What can be done?