The former West Australian premier who helped convince the federal government to change the GST distribution that will cost income taxpayers at least $39 billion, now admits it is “not good policy” and that a new system based on population is needed.

Liberal Colin Barnett also said there was no need for Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to lift WA’s minimum GST “floor” from 70¢ to 75¢ in the dollar, as is scheduled to occur from July.