Treasurers say they'll wear new GST blame STATE treasurers admit they are not going to win a popularity contest with their push to raise the GST-free threshold on overseas online purchases. Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey is hosting his state and territory counterparts in Canberra on Wednesday for the first post-election meeting of the Standing Council on Federal Financial Relations. High on the agenda is a GST anomaly that exempts overseas-purchased goods and services, valued at less than $1000, from the 10 per cent consumption tax. Local retailers want the threshold lowered to $20, while the states and territories argue they are missing out on much-need GST revenue. NSW Treasurer Mike Baird says the states are prepared to wear any public disapproval. "I don't expect to win a popularity contest," he told reporters at Parliament House in Canberra. No-one envisaged when the GST was first established that online (shopping) would become as popular as it is. Mr Baird said the extra funds could be put towards important spending areas such as hospitals. South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said the states were conscious that any change must collect more revenue than it cost to administer. "We don't want to export retail jobs overseas," he said. Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said changes to the $1000 threshold were inevitable. Mr Hockey said he expected a cooperative meeting, but declined to answer questions as he arrived at Parliament House for the meeting. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said any change was a matter for the states. "The states are concerned to ensure that the retail sector remains strong and that jobs in retail remain protected," he told reporters in Melbourne. I think they are very important objectives.