Portfolio — 25 August 2026

The Minister for Resources and Northern Australia used today's media release to defend Western Australia's GST arrangements against the Productivity Commission's interim report and to advance two energy-policy commitments: renewable-backed power requirements for new data centres and the East Coast Gas Reservation Scheme.

**GST and the Productivity Commission**

The Minister said the Prime Minister has promised that Western Australia's GST arrangements will remain unchanged [TA-260825-resour-745014d4130c]. She criticised the Productivity Commission's interim report for omitting any reference to the Western Australian Government's suggestions and noted that no Western Australians sit on the commission [TA-260825-resour-745014d4130c].

The Minister agreed with the Prime Minister that the commissioners are "economic rationalists" and expressed sympathy for the Western Australian Premier's reaction to the report [TA-260825-resour-745014d4130c]. She asserted that all states have been better off since the 2018 GST reforms, arguing that Western Australia's iron-ore royalties are largely redistributed across the nation, benefiting the whole country [TA-260825-resour-745014d4130c].

**Energy policy: data centres and gas reservation**

The Minister outlined a plan requiring new data-centre projects to purchase power from renewable sources backed by gas, warning that reliance on gas or coal alone would undermine community acceptance and long-term viability [TA-260825-resour-745014d4130c]. She confirmed that the design of the East Coast Gas Reservation Scheme is on track and that legislation will be introduced to secure affordable gas supplies for Australian manufacturers and businesses [TA-260825-resour-745014d4130c].

**Portfolio direction**

Today's statements extend the resources portfolio's focus on leveraging Australia's mineral base for strategic economic and security outcomes, following the gallium production facility investment decision noted in the prior daily note. The portfolio's approach continues to protect state fiscal arrangements, promote renewable-backed energy policy for emerging industries, and ensure a reliable gas supply for the economy.