Fed: Beattie seeks agreement on tax phasing-out period

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2005
Fed: Beattie seeks agreement on tax phasing-out period

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE has called on Treasurer PETER COSTELLO to allow a
six-year phasing out period of state taxes as a solution to the row over the GST.

Mr BEATTIE has conceded Mr COSTELLO has the whip hand in the argument, because he can
withdraw GST revenue to the states if they don't accede to federal demands they abolish
state taxes in return for the GST.

But Mr BEATTIE says the commonwealth demand can't be achieved in one budget.

He's told ABC Radio that rational Australians will see the phasing-out proposal is reasonable.

AAP RTV dep/maur/jjs

KEYWORD: TAX BEATTIE (CANBERRA)

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