The Wire

NSW Premier Mike Baird has launched the first bid to raise the GST ahead of a leader’s summit this week for state Premiers and Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Premier Baird says raising the GST to 15 percent will help address health funding shortfalls which could hit $45 billion by 2030. SA Premier Jay Weatherall is also open to discussion of the GST as is WA’s Treasurer Mike Nahan. But with Victorian and Tasmanian Premiers and ALP Leader Bill Shorten opposed, and Treasurer Joe Hockey saying consensus is required, a deal on GST looks unlikely.