Ex-premiers, Mr Fix It up for the task

FORMER Victorian Labor premier John Brumby was last night relishing his role in a review of the GST distribution system.

Ex premiers

AFTER once railing against the way GST revenues were carved up between the states and deriding an "antiquated" and ramshackle system, former Victorian premier John Brumby was last night relishing the chance to fix things.

Mr Brumby will join forces with the former Liberal premier of NSW, Nick Greiner, and South Australia's corporate Mr Fix It, Bruce Carter, to undertake a sweeping review of the GST distribution system.

Contacted last night, Mr Brumby, who was a long-time treasurer of Victoria, admitted he had in the past used some "colourful" language to describe the GST distribution system and was relishing the chance to have a say in its reform.

"Obviously I'm very much looking forward to producing a fairer, more efficient and simpler system and I believe that that's very achievable," he told The Australian.

Mr Greiner declined to comment but Mr Carter, who is known in South Australia as Premier Mike Rann's "Mr Fix It", said Wayne Swan had approached him to take part in the review only yesterday.

"I understand it will take considerable time and we will receive many submissions," he said. "It's obviously a report of national significance and it's a privilege to be involved in these things."

Mr Carter, a managing partner at Ferrier Hodgson, chaired South Australia's Economic Development Board until December and currently chairs the Olympic Dam task force.

He specialises in corporate solvency and has worked in economic management at government levels.

"I understand horizontal fiscal equalisation and I've been involved at a high level with state finances," Mr Carter said.

"I've been a member of the (South Australian) sustainable budget committee and that involved the GST."

The review will provide an interim report to the Treasurer by February next year and a final report by September next year.

It will not affect the distribution of GST revenue in 2011-12 or 2012-13.