in the final review of the 2010 gst report (http://www.cgc.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0007/18349/2010_Review_final_report_vol_1.pdf which has swans name stamped on it)it is stated that because wa and qld have stronger growth revenues from mining than the other states and can raise revenue from royalties, then it is deemed appropriate that the gst revenue received should be a reduced share of the gross proceeds.
so in light of this and other documents put out by swans own government, barnett has every right and indeed obligation to the great state of wa and its population, to raise said royalties in leiu of reduced gst revenues and also inputs from such sources as stamp duty.
barnett has snookered swan and it is swans own fault. this document should have been known to swan and therefore cannot cry foul. our share of the collected gst revenue has fallen steadily so to make up for this continued down trend barnett has done what he had to - raise royalties on wa's OWN resources.
all of the puerile cries of distaste for barnetts actions are wasted on the fact that it is swan himself who is to blame.
