PM calls for mature debate on tax reform

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he wants a mature debate on tax reform and won't rule out anything that will support a better tax system.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott wants federal Labor to engage in a mature debate about tax reform. (AAP)

Prime Minister Tony Abbott wants federal Labor to match the lead of the states and engage in a mature debate about tax reform.

Mr Abbott was responding to a question in parliament from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who asked him to rule out increasing the GST to 15 per cent, a measure proposed by NSW Premier Mike Baird at a leaders retreat in July.

"I am not going to rule out a sensible discussion for a better tax system in this country and frankly, if members opposite had a skerrick of real commitment to a better Australia, they wouldn't rule it out either," he said.