Fed: Beattie should cut GST share for petrol price fall: Hockey

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2000
Fed: Beattie should cut GST share for petrol price fall: Hockey

New South Wales Financial Services and Regulation Minister JOE HOCKEY says Queensland
Premier PETER BEATTIE should cut his share of GST if he wants petrol prices to fall.

Mr BEATTIE is leading a push for a Senate inquiry into petrol price rises.

Mr HOCKEY says the government has already cut excise and that the GST on petrol goes
directly to the states.

Mr HOCKEY has told ABC radio the government sees little point in a Senate inquiry,
after 40 inquiries into petrol in the past 20 years.

He says if the government spends money to bring petrol prices down it will mean higher taxes.

And he insists Australian motorists have the fourth cheapest petrol in the developed world.

Mr HOCKEY says another inquiry would be a waste of time when petrol around the world
has gone up due to increasing oil prices.

AAP RTV fh/gp/smf

KEYWORD: PETROL HOCKEY (CANBERRA)

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