Western Australia Gains, Victoria Loses in GST Distribution

0:00This is Corey, here with your quick two-minute update from Sydney News today. Australia's goods and services tax distribution for next year totals $103 billion, with Victoria seeing its slice dip a bit, despite a dollar increase overall. The state will get $29.6 billion, up 1.4 billion from last year, but its share drops from 27.3. percent to 27.2 percent. Meanwhile, Western Australia grabs the biggest win, boosting its portion from 8.3 percent to 9.1 percent. Western Australia picks up an extra $6.6 billion under a special guarantee, bringing its total to $9.3 billion. This deal, first said by the former Prime Minister and kept by the current one, ensures the West stays strong even as its economy booms from resources. Victorian leaders are fired up, calling the arrangement unfair and pushing to scrap it or lock in protections for other states. Treasurer Jacqueline Symes says Victoria has missed out on nearly

1:04$31 billion since the tax started due to lacking mining riches and facing big population growth plus infrastructure demands. Queensland scores the largest dollar jump at $1.7 billion, while every state and territory gets more overall thanks to rising tax. The Independent Grants Commission bases shares on needs like services, revenue capacity, and factors such as land sales or disasters, lower prices for coal and iron ore, plus fading pandemic spending, shift the balance toward resource states. A Productivity Commission review now eyes the Western deal, as East Coast calls grow for a fair split that better matches population and needs. The Daily News now is grateful to our sponsor for today's episode. No need to switch positions. The sound is already where your head is. S-O-L-L-I, soleypillow.com