QLD: Dont spend NQs GST tax in Sydney, says Beattie

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-1998
QLD: Dont spend NQs GST tax in Sydney, says Beattie

By Gil Breitkreutz

BRISBANE, Dec 6 AAP - Labors Mulgrave by-election win was a warning to Prime Minister John
Howard not to spend extra revenue generated by north Queenslands share of a GST in southern
states, Premier Peter Beattie said today.

"The people of Mulgrave have told Mr Howard they do not want the extra $16 million they
will pay in the first three years of a GST spent in Sydney and Melbourne," Mr Beattie told AAP
from Cairns.

Mr Beattie has previously claimed his state will be $465 million worse-off in the first
three years of a GST changeover because of compensatory funding to other states which lose
revenue, including fuel tax, which does not apply in Queensland.

The premier last night claimed victory in Mulgrave, the Cairns-based state seat, after the
by-election which followed the sudden resignation of sitting One Nation member Charles
Rappolt.

Opposition Leader Rob Borbidge refused to concede defeat, describing Mr Beatties attitude
as "mango madness".

Labor led by 300 votes with 3,000 votes still to be counted, Mr Borbidge said.

"This is going to go right down to the wire and I am very surprised Mr Beattie is confident
enough to claim victory," he said.

At the close of counting last night, Labors Warren Pitt had 48.85 per cent of the notional
preference distribution compared with the Nationals Naomi Wilson on 45.21 per cent.

The by-election was a disaster for One Nation candidate Peter Boniface who polled just
under 16 per cent of the primary vote compared to Mr Rappolts 31 per cent at the June state
election.

An elated Mr Beattie said the result marked the end of minority government in Queensland
which was better placed now to deliver basic services and create jobs.

"My government has been stable and solid and nothing will change," he said.

"But it will allow us to drive our jobs strategy in the face of the Asian economic crisis."

Mr Beattie said he had spoken to independent Peter Wellington whose support he needed
before yesterdays by-election victory.

"I told Mr Wellington Labor will stick to all the commitments it gave at the June state
election and in the lead up to Mulgrave," the Premier said.

This attitude was supported by ACTU Queensland state secretary John Thompson who said the
Beattie government should continue to consult the two independents, Mr Wellington and Liz
Cunningham.

"Its fair because their support has given Labor the ability to govern over the past four
months," Mr Thompson told ABC radio.

Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry director Clive Bubb said business was cautious
over Labors absolute rule.

"The business community has been fairly satisfied with the Beattie government to date but
there are a couple of black clouds on the horizon," Mr Bubb said.

These included reforms to industrial legislation, workers compensation and native title.

Mr Beattie said resentment against the major parties was still evident despite the One
Nation vote halving.

"Theres still a lot of resentment out there and the major political parties still have a
lot of work to do," he said.

Mr Beattie was due in Mackay today to open the Dalrymple bay Coal Terminal and to prepare
for tomorrows country cabinet meeting there.

AAP geb/sk/br

KEYWORD: MULGRAVE DAYLEAD

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