State and Territory leaders will be briefed on the fall-out from the Global Economic crisis tomorrow, as they try and avoid their own losses.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting will be hosted by the odd man out: freshly elected West Australian Premier Colin Barnett will be the only Liberal among a coterie of Labor leaders.
The global downturn is expected to dominate tomorrow's meetings, with health and education also high on the agenda.
NSW Premier Nathan Rees says the international crisis is impacting on the states.
"Now is the time for all governments to be prudent. We've got a mini-budget on the way but we need to bring to bear every bit of advice we possibly can."
"Our deliberations will be informed by some of the treasury advice that will be relayed to us at the COAG meeting."
Victorian Premier John Brumby said he wants to discuss ways to shield Australian families from the fallout.
"Apart from measures already on the table, Mr Brumby wants to begin discussions around three key actions - cuts to interest rates, greater commonwealth involvement in infrastructure projects and extra help for first homebuyers," a spokesman for the premier said today.
Mr Rees says he will also urge the Federal Government to give NSW a bigger share of Health funding when state and territory leaders meet in PERTH later today.
He plans to push for population-based funding from the Commonwealth.
"Per capita funding as a general principle is what I'm seeking and we've seen a grants commission process in the past that has seen NSW penalised on that basis.
"I don't think anyone argues with the level of cross-subsidisation of smaller states, the issue is the balance, getting that balance right and making sure that we get our fair and reasonable share."
