WHAT THE STATE PREMIERS SAID ABOUT THEIR COAG MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Mark McGowan ramped up Western Australia's attack against the GST distribution, threatening to withhold the state's gas resources from needy eastern states if action isn't taken. "WA is a major gas producer in the nation but we would expect action on GST before such time as we approve a gas pipeline across WA to connect to the eastern states. We are prepared to take tough measures and take the issue up forcefully."
VICTORIA
Daniel Andrews was happy about a special COAG meeting on terrorism but insists it must result in concrete steps to keep Australians safe. "I think we are at a point in our nation's history where we have to give very serious consideration to giving law enforcement some tools and powers that they don't enjoy today."
QUEENSLAND
Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed the Finkel review, insisting that while her state was already playing its part on national energy supply it was prepared to do more. "We have opened up over 400 square kilometres of gas exploration, solely used for domestic supply. We are happy to continue that."
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Jay Weatherill wasn't happy about schools funding, insisting his state still misses out on $265 million under Gonski 2.0. "It is a long way short of what we agreed. We are going to continue to press that."
NSW
Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged the federal government's adoption of needs-based funding for schools but maintained it fell short of the original Gonski agreement.
ACT
Andrew Barr said the federal government's national rail program needed to fix the 19th century rail service between Sydney and Canberra."One that is befitting of the national capital and Sydney as Australia's international city being properly connected by a rail service that doesn't travel at a speed that someone could run faster next to the train."
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Michael Gunner said a COAG agreement to develop northern Australia needed to be done in full partnership with Aboriginal Australians. "The first people are 30 per cent of our population. They own 80 per cent of our coastline and 50 per cent of our land. We have to work with them."
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