Liberals campaign against WA, Crook
Posted on Wednesday, 7 September 2011
NATIONALS WA Federal Member for O’Connor, Tony Crook MP, has hit out at the WA Liberals for campaigning against a better deal for Western Australia.
Mr Crook said WA Liberal MPs should be embarrassed by their failure to support the motion to deliver a 75 per cent floor on GST relativities and their decision to put party politics ahead of what is best for their state.
“This motion is about getting a better deal for everyone in Western Australia,” Mr Crook said.
Mr Crook said while the WA Premier had indicated support for establishing a GST floor, the WA Liberals had yet to discuss the motion in the Federal Party Room.
“This is such an important issue for WA – the Premier, the Leader of The Nationals WA and the Leader of the Opposition all agree action needs to be taken,” Mr Crook said.
“Federal Liberal MPs representing Western Australia should be embarrassed they haven’t even had the influence to get this motion debated in the Liberal Party room.
“This is just another example of the way major parties work; they are dominated by eastern states city-based politicians who don’t care about WA, much less regional WA.”
Mr Crook said Liberal Member for Durack, Barry Haase had been feeble in his response to the motion.
“If Barry Haase actually wants to deliver for his electorate he should be supporting this motion and trying to convince his party room to do the same.”
Mr Crook said critics of the motion should look at the benefits Royalties for Regions is delivering for regional WA.
“There will always be people who want to knock good ideas and say it can’t be done – the same thing happened before the 2008 State Election when critics said Royalties for Regions couldn’t work.
“The success of Royalties for Regions has muted these opponents.
“Now the Liberal Party are saying my motion to get a fairer share of GST returned to WA can’t be done – instead of toeing the party line I urge them to support the motion which will deliver benefits for all Western Australians.
“It’s time for the Liberal Party to stand up for WA.”
Further information on WA’s GST rip-off can be found online at www.tonycrook.com.au.