Right now, there is a review of the way that GST revenue is allocated to states and territories.

Last financial year, the tax raised $45.9 billion, which is distributed unevenly around Australia to ``equalise'' inequities.

More cash (relatively speaking) went to states and territories with weaker economies, like Tasmania, and less cash went to strong economies like Western Australia - which gets a record low 55 for every dollar it contributes.

WA has been the most strident critic of the system (and in turn of Tasmania benefiting).

On April 30, when visiting the mining-rich state, Mr Abbott backed the view of Premier Colin Barnett and his Coalition colleagues who are pushing for a new split based on population.

He said: ``I think that it does seem quite unfair that the people of Western Australia get so little back for the GST revenue that they provide to the rest of the country. I think that what ought to be very seriously considered by the government right now is the proposal that the GST revenue should be distributed on what is closer to a per capita arrangement.

''I think it makes a lot of sense.''

If that was adopted using this year's GST pie that would mean WA would get an extra $2.4 billion. And Tasmania? Well, up to $700 million less, or roughly $1300 per person.

A catastrophe for a state that is struggling, and dealing with an already shrinking GST pie.

Was it any wonder there was an outcry on the Apple Isle?

Media inboxes overflowed with press releases from federal and state Labor MPs, Greens MPs and Denison independent MHR Andrew Wilkie decrying Mr Abbott's plan. Premier Lara Giddings said $700 million was equivalent to the annual budgets of the Launceston and Hobart hospitals combined.

Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins said: ''The state government has already been forced to consider school closures and cuts to health services - imagine what a loss of $700 million a year would do.''

In essence, there's no point squabbling about what you're going to do with your pocket money when your parents have stopped handing it over.

Mr Abbott's tune changed three days later, when he turned up to Agfest. Suitable, perhaps, if he was feeling sheepish.

There, he backed away from his earlier comments saying there ``were perceptions of unfairness'', that the Coalition would wait to see what the review came up with and that his government would: ``always support a fair deal, a square deal for Tasmania''.

It was embarrassing for state Opposition Leader Will Hodgman, who was left to try to clean up the Abbott-gaffe mess.

He spoke out strongly against the initial comments, and made a point of urgently calling Mr Abbott and arranging a meeting before the pair fronted Agfest together. Mr Hodgman said at that meeting Mr Abbott confirmed that a Coalition government would ''always look after Tasmania, and would always ensure that we get our fair share of the GST''.

Of course, what one part of Australia thinks is fair could be light-years away from how another part of the country defines it.

The state's four Liberal senators have been pretty quiet on the issue too. Apparently, they are also working to ensure Tasmania gets its fair share.

Although the GST review panel has ruled out adopting a per-capita system, the fight is far from over. The panel is still considering if large, one-off capital payments should be excluded, or equalised over a longer time.

Whether mining proceeds are taken into account is another dicey issue.

In the meantime, Mr Abbott might want to check his numbers. The ALP holds three House of Representative seats in WA - and four in Tasmania.

In planning to win the next election he might want to consider that sum.