The Greens say any change to Australia's tax system must be progressive, correcting rising inequality and acting on global warming.

"The whole point of tax is to raise the revenue we need to pay for the Australian society we want: caring, innovative, healthy, and protected from the impacts of global warming" said Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"That means ending taxpayer support of polluting fossil fuels; it means actually collecting the tax owed by corporate Australia and multi-nationals, and it means closing tax loopholes for the richest among us.

Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Abbott government is attempting to trick the states into talking about the GST, to distract from his brutal budget and the opportunities that still exist to raise revenue from his big business mates.

"My message to the states is: don't fall for Tony Abbott's GST ploy. The Prime Minister is trying to fool you and distract the community from his cruel budget cuts," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.