Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

It stands to reason that the GST issue is the most important issue for the people of Western Australia. So Senator Smith was right. Can I say, from a Tasmanian perspective, that the GST issue is the most important issue from a Tasmanian perspective as well, as it is for New South Wales, for Victoria and Queensland. So, of course, Senator Smith is right, as it would be right for any other senator to assert and to advocate in this place, that the GST distribution is the most important issue facing that particular state. So, there is no inconsistency in Senator Smith's defending his state and my defending my state.