GST DISTRIBUTION —
IRON ORE PRICE
1362. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the answers to my
questions without notice 13, 80, 656, 938, 961 and 1142 this year on the 2019
mini boom of iron ore royalties.
(1) Does the Treasurer
agree with the statement made by the Under Treasurer in the agency estimates
hearing last week on 13 November that if it were not for the 2019 mini boom of
iron ore prices, there would have been a budget deficit and additional
borrowings in 2018–19?
(2) Does the
Treasurer agree with the Under Treasurer that if the state had not got that
level of iron ore royalty revenue, borrowings would have been higher by an
equivalent amount?
(3) Is any of the
2019 windfall in iron ore royalty revenue, as described by the Under Treasurer,
being used to fund Labor's recent funding announcements, including
payroll tax relief, stamp duty rebates or school and health maintenance and
upgrades?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
That was a good long list.
The PRESIDENT: It was not a PFAS
question today!
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON: Thank heavens for small mercies!
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the
Treasurer.
(1) The 2018–19
surplus is a result of the McGowan government's good financial
management, underpinned by tight expenditure control.
(2) Refer to the answer to part (1).
(3) Recent
funding announcements have been made possible by the McGowan government's
good financial management, underpinned by tight expenditure control.