Jackson Says Albanese Comments Disappointing at This Point in Process

The Productivity Commission has condemned attacks on its integrity as "unacceptable" after its scathing assessment of Western Australia's GST deal as a costly mistake sparked a fierce political backlash and name-calling. 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. But Jackson said comments from Roger Cook, the Western Australian premier, lampooning the commission as "east coast clowns" and describing the report as deceitful had "crossed a line".

Cook said in a statement: "I'm doing exactly what I'll always do and putting WA first", adding that "it is important we continue to present our economic arguments". To the Productivity Commission it may be academic but for Western Australians it's our lives, and I'll fight for every dollar.