Consensus needed for GST change: Hockey

Any changes to the way GST revenue is handed to the states would have to be backed by a "consensus" decision, Treasurer Joe Hockey says.

Mr Hockey is meeting state treasurers in Canberra on Wednesday, where concerns about the GST distribution method will be raised.

The Commonwealth Grants Commission, which allocates the revenue collected from the GST, has recommended keeping the status quo.

The West Australian government and federal members from that state have been lobbying for a bigger slice, as tax revenues from iron ore mining fall.

Mr Hockey said the subject would come up in the talks, but it would take broad agreement for any changes to occur.

"There is an expectation it would be a consensus position," he told reporters in Canberra.

He said the federal government had been just as hard hit by falling commodity prices as state governments.