[Greens-Media] A huge GST payment to Victoria will make the state budget flush with funds; put it to good use say the Greens

[Media]

Media Release for immediate use
Wednesday May 10, 2006
Contact: Greg Barber (mob) 0433 044 771

A huge GST payment to Victoria will make the state budget flush with 
funds; put it to good use say the Greens

The Greens want the huge GST payment to Victoria in last night's Federal 
budget to be used to address urgent social, environmental and 
infrastructure problems, not to cut business taxes.

"Over the next three years Victoria stands to receive nearly $900 
million more in GST payments than was being predicted at the time of the 
last state budget," said Greg Barber, Greens upper house candidate and 
Finance spokesperson.

"Our share of the total GST pool is growing and GST payments now 
represent around one-quarter of state budget income*," said Mr Barber.

The Greens will hold a 'budget brunch' the morning after the Victorian 
state budget is brought down on the 30th of May.

"We'll be addressing our priorities, sensible, costed priorities that we 
think any state government could deliver within its
next four year term, " said Mr Barber.

For more information please contact
Greg Barber on (mob) 0433 044 771
Dave Lane on (mob) 0419 156 213

Greens Budget Brunch
11.00am, Wednesday May 31,  2006
60L building, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Melways 2B C1

* Detailed analysis of the extra GST payment is available in the form of 
tables from the previous State and last night's
Federal budget on request.

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