- WA Government acknowledges service of Under Treasurer Michael Barnes PSM
- Mr Barnes will depart as Under Treasurer after more than 25 years at WA Treasury
- Mr Barnes will take on the key role of protecting WA's share of GST
- Productivity Commission review of GST arrangements to be handed down in 2026
The Cook Labor Government has announced current Under Treasurer Michael Barnes will take on the role of leading Western Australia's response to the upcoming Productivity Commission Review of the GST reforms.
Mr Barnes will commence the new role when his term as Under Treasurer ends in April 2025, after 11 years in the role and 27 years at the Department of Treasury.
In his role as Under Treasurer he has played a defining role alongside the State Labor Government in turning WA's finances around, with six years of consecutive net operating surpluses and net debt now more than $15 billion lower than projected in 2017.
Mr Barnes also played a key role in WA securing a fairer share of the GST in 2018 and restoring the State's triple-A credit rating from both major credit rating agencies, the only State to currently achieve this.
In recognition of his outstanding service to State Government finances, Mr Barnes was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2020 and was the Institute of Public Administration's Leader of the Year in State or Federal Government in 2022.
Beginning in May, Mr Barnes will lead WA's response to the Productivity Commission Review of the 2018 GST Reforms. The position was funded as part of the 2023-24 State Budget to ensure WA had the strongest case to defend our fair share of the GST.
Given his significant experience, leadership, policy acumen and history fighting for WA's fair share of GST, Mr Barnes is ideally placed to lead WA's response to the Productivity Commission Review.
The Public Sector Commission will begin the recruitment process for the next Under Treasurer following the State Election.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"For more than 25 years Michael Barnes has served the State of Western Australia with distinction and professionalism, he has been an asset to the public service and I thank him for his significant contribution.
"Protecting our fair share of the GST is a significant task, if not one of the most important challenges Western Australia faces over the coming years.
"Having Michael Barnes lead that work puts WA in the strongest position to defend our GST and prevent the east coast from trying to wind back the reforms we secured in 2018.
"We can't take anything for granted when it comes to our GST share, and Michael's appointment as chief GST fairness fighter will ensure WA has the strongest case."
As stated by Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"Michael Barnes has dedicated most of his professional life to the service of Western Australia and I want to thank him for his many years leading the Department of Treasury.
"During his time in the role, he has assisted our Government in turning the State's finances around and securing a fairer share of the GST for Western Australians - two achievements that have positioned Western Australia to be one of the strongest economies not only in the nation but the world.
"Retaining his knowledge and expertise is a big win for Western Australia.
"Having played an important role in securing the current GST deal in 2018, Mr Barnes is the ideal person to lead our State's response to the Productivity Commission Review and protect our fair share of the GST deal."
As stated by Under Treasurer Michael Barnes:
"My time as the State's Under Treasurer has been an immense privilege, and I am very proud of the outcomes achieved by the incredibly dedicated and professional team at Treasury. But after 11years in the role, I have decided that when my current term ends in April next year, the time is right for me to move onto something different.
"Treasury played a major role in helping secure the 2018 GST distribution reforms. These reforms include a floor equivalent to 75 per cent of the State's population share of national GST revenue. In the absence of the reforms, Western Australia would have received just 11.5 per cent of our population share in 2024-25.
"Any changes to the current GST distribution arrangements stemming from the Productivity Commission Review have the potential to significantly undermine the State's financial position. I look forward to defending Western Australia's fair share of the GST as our State's chief GST fairness fighter."
