Ms O’CONNOR question to TREASURER, Mr FERGUSON
In the letter that was sent on federal budget day, 11 days after the Albanese Government’s stadium funding was announced, and after questions in here, why did you not include the $65 million Commonwealth grant for the York Park upgrade in your request to Treasurer Chalmers for a GST exemption?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is a matter for the Australian Government about what to do with the request. It has now been some considerable time since the requests were made –
Dr Woodruff – You have not made it.
Mr SPEAKER – Order.
Mr FERGUSON – The claim they have made earlier has been thoroughly disproven, thoroughly debunked, and it is –
Dr Woodruff – You are not listening.
Mr FERGUSON – I will respond to the York Park element. It is for the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw the false claims she made against the Premier. She should withdraw it; they have been proven false. Proven false.
In relation to York Park, my advice is as follows. It became evident that York Park funding would not be exempt, as it would be treated in a similar way to federal funding for the North Queensland stadium, the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and the SCG redevelopment.
We are continuing to have discussions about a GST exemption for the Macquarie Point precinct funding, on the basis of it being an urban renewal project – not like those other projects, which were regional stadiums.
GST distributions are extremely complex. The impact of Commonwealth payments varies based on a number of factors. That is the basis of my advice that I provide to the House, and the reason the request has been formally made to the Australian Government on the parameters that were detailed in the letter I have tabled.
