Labor leader misleading public on GST: Premier

29/6/00
Premier Richard Court has accused Opposition Leader Geoff Gallop of misleading the public about his views on a goods and services tax after he revealed in State Parliament today that Dr Gallop had previously admitted supporting a GST.
Mr Court said Dr Gallop was distributing Labor advertising material saying: "I have always opposed the GST."
However, in August 1998 in State Parliament, Dr Gallop said of a GST: "I supported it at that meeting in 1984...". Then later: "At that meeting I did."
"Clearly, Dr Gallop is distributing advertising material that is misleading," Mr Court said.
"Obviously, the word 'always' to Dr Gallop means everytime it is politically convenient.
"It seems Dr Gallop is using political convenience a lot these days - whatever the issue, he takes the line he thinks people want to hear.
"On the eve of the GST, he's saying he has always opposed a GST but the public now knows he has supported a GST.
"In fact, Labor still supports a GST, because they are going to keep it, and we are yet to see any detail of their 'promised' roll back.
"I call on Dr Gallop to withdraw his false advertising and be honest with the people of Western Australia."
Media contact: Justine Whittome 9222 9475