He can't demand $2.1 billion from the federal government, claiming the state lost the money in the 2014 federal budget, and at the same time oppose measures aimed at delivering more money to the states.

Mr Hodgman's approach to this week's Council of Australian Governments meeting is little more than political expediency and untenable. He has given himself no room to move.

By contrast, other premiers have been willing to consider options. NSW Premier Mike Baird has flagged an increase in the GST rate from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill is willing to discuss the proposal. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk would rather a progressive increase to the Medicare Levy .

They realise that to deliver effective services to their states, in key areas such as health and education, they cannot rely solely on a cash-strapped federal budget.

By law, all GST revenue goes to the states and territories. While food is exempt, the GST is a user-pays tax and raises about $52 billion a year.

Tasmania gets a greater share than the wealthier states, such as Western Australia and Queensland, because the state government won't raise more revenue in order to be more self-reliant.

This is the problem with Mr Hodgman's approach. He is not prepared to raise his own revenue but wants a greater share of the GST to compensate. When other states suggest raising the GST rate above 10 per cent, he won't have a bar of that either.

He is correct in saying Tasmanians are struggling enough already without any additional imposts but, even so, he won't compromise. He also knows that nothing will happen without his approval because the GST can't be changed unless all state and territory leaders agree.

He will get no sympathy from his interstate colleagues.