Good afternoon, and happy Friday.The controversial Morrison-era GST deal with Western Australia has been criticised by the Productivity Commission, which says it was a costly mistake that should be reversed and that tens of billions of dollars of taxpayer money has since gone to the country’s richest state.An interim report from a PC review of the deal said the reform – requested by WA and implemented under the former Morrison government with Labor’s support – had achieved almost none of its objectives and made the system less equitable.A commissioner at the Productivity Commission laid out a scenario where, if there was a devastating bushfire in New South Wales, it could still mean WA would receive more GST revenue – for a natural disaster it didn’t have.The Albanese government, however, shows no signs it is backing away from the agreement, and based on budget forecasts the total cost of the deal will reach $60bn by 2029-30.Top news
Sydney airport incident involving Virgin and Qantas flights didn’t have to be reported, Airservices Australia says
Johnny Young, host and creator of Young Talent Time, dies aged 79
North Sydney pool closed and drained a week after much-hyped reopening following $122m overhaul
