Alex Gallacher SA, Australian Labor Party
2:49 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Fifield. Yesterday, the Minister for Finance refused to rule out any cut in the distribution of GST to South Australia and Tasmania. The Productivity Commission's interim report into the economic impact of horizontal fiscal equalisation proposed cuts to the distribution of GST revenue of $557 million to South Australia and $168 million to Tasmania. Can the minister confirm that a cut this severe is equal to cutting 4,422 frontline police in South Australia and 1,334 frontline police in Tasmania?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
2:50 pm
I don't accept the hypothesis upon which the senator has based his question. There is no proposition before government.
Alex Gallacher SA, Australian Labor Party
What advice has the minister sought from his department about the impact of such a reduction in frontline police as a result of severe cuts to GST revenue to state and, indeed, territory governments?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
Advice wouldn't be sought on a proposition that is not before government.
Alex Gallacher SA, Australian Labor Party
Why is the Turnbull government refusing to be up-front with the people of South Australia and, indeed, Tasmania about the impact of this plan to cut GST payments to these states?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
2:51 pm
I repeat: there is no such plan. There is no proposition before government.