Productivity Commission says ‘line was crossed’ when WA premier labelled them ‘east coast clowns’ over GST

<p>Commissioner Angela Jackson also said it was ‘disappointing’ that Anthony Albanese had ruled out changes to Western Australia’s GST arrangements</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/aug/26/national-cabinet-datacentres-cpi-inflation-data-politics-reactions-anthony-albansese-labor-angus-taylor-coalition-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The Productivity Commission has condemned attacks on its integrity as “unacceptable” after its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/14/morrison-era-gst-deal-western-australia-23bn-mistake-productivity-commission">scathing assessment</a> of Western Australia’s sweetheart GST deal as a costly mistake sparked a fierce political backlash and name-calling.</p><p>Angela Jackson, a productivity commissioner and co-author of the report, said the country’s leading independent economic advisory body welcomed criticism and comments on its work.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/26/wa-gst-deal-productivity-commission-western-australia-premier-roger-cook">Continue reading...</a>