Productivity Commission says ‘line was crossed’ when WA premier labelled them ‘east coast clowns’ over GST

The Western Australian premier, Roger Cook, and Anthony Albanese have been criticised by the Productivity Commission for their response to an interim report on the GST. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

The Productivity Commission has condemned attacks on its integrity as “unacceptable” after its scathing assessment of Western Australia’s sweetheart GST deal as a costly mistake sparked a fierce political backlash and name-calling.

Angela Jackson, a productivity commissioner and co-author of the report, said the country’s leading independent economic advisory body welcomed criticism and comments on its work.