Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has thrown his support behind a Western Australian push for a bigger share of GST.
The Tasmanian MP on Tuesday met WA Nationals MP Tony Crook in Perth to discuss poker machine reforms, but the issue of the GST carve-up between states also came up.
Mr Crook says the GST formula penalises his state - which only allows poker machines in casinos - because gaming is not counted in revenue calculations.
States such as Queensland and NSW, which have thousands of poker machines, reap a windfall because of the formula's bias, he told reporters in Perth.
Mr Wilkie said although no deal was done in terms of supporting Mr Crook's GST reform plan in exchange for the backing of poker machine reforms, he was convinced WA was being treated unfairly.
"No wonder states like NSW and Queensland are so obsessed with their poker machine revenue," Mr Wilkie said.
"I do intend, when the opportunity arises, to champion the need for WA to be treated more fairly in that regard."
Mr Crook said he had not made up his mind on poker machine legislation.
But he said if the GST carve-up became part of the talks he would be happy to discuss the issue with Mr Wilkie, the government or the opposition.
The GST is collected by the federal government.
