Labor's decision on power credits at Thursday's State Budget comes as government marks 100 days of third term
Labor ministers have backed curbing cost of living support in favour of more targeted measures, as households face life without power bill credits.
Asked on Sunday whether she believed Labor should continue the $400 annual rebate on electricity bills, Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Government had committed to keeping rises below the inflation rate of 2.8 per cent.
'Cost of living measures should be targeted to support people who are doing it tough,' she said.
'We'll obviously continue to monitor it, and we continue to support the community through a range of cost of living measures, including the WA schools assistance payment, and of course, we'll have the Commonwealth rebate coming very shortly through power bills.'
The decision on credits will be revealed in Thursday's State Budget, which comes in the week the Government marks the first 100 days of its third term.
Premier Roger Cook said his government had been focused on jobs, health and housing.
'In just 100 days, we've seen the growth of our resources sector, delivered major elements of our Made in WA plan and seen major milestones in our efforts to turn WA into a renewable energy powerhouse,' he said.
'We're also collaborating even more closely with industry, in our efforts to make our economy more resilient and remain the strongest economy in the nation.
'Importantly, we have deepened our relationship with the Federal Government, and it's great to have their ear on things like the GST, the North-west shelf and the need for environmental reforms that deliver greater certainty for industry and better outcomes for the environment.'
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ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Mum says she feels let down by SA government's autism strategy
Paige Carter and her son Oaklan were front and centre when the Premier unveiled the state's first Minister for Autism almost three years ago. Ms Carter welcomed the "world leading" appointment of Emily Bourke and the state government promised to deliver nation-leading autism reforms. But the mother-of-two said she now felt "let down" and as though her family and the autism community were "used" by the government. "... He [the Premier] can announce skyscrapers and LIV Golf and all these really cool exciting things for the state and yes they're amazing, but what about our little kids who can't even access an education?" The government has pushed back against these claims, pointing to the rollout of 400 autism inclusion teachers in state schools and saying they have delivered far beyond what was promised in the lead up to the 2022 election. Ms Carter said six-year-old Oaklan had struggled to adjust to school life. He has autism, ADHD and epilepsy and had initially coped well when he started school last year with a smaller class and extra support from his teacher and other staff. She said her son fell into a grey area, not qualifying for special education but not fitting into mainstream schools. "The environment just isn't right for him, and he's not supported the way he needs to be supported," Ms Carter said. Ms Carter said Oaklan was now only attending school three times a week for 90-minute periods. "He says things such as 'I hate my brain', 'my brain is stupid', 'me don't want to be me', things like that and it's really awful and it's all at the hands of him not having a schooling option that's right for him," Ms Carter said. "He doesn't qualify for Special Ed, but he doesn't fit in mainstream but there's nothing for our kids in-between. "It's a grey area, he's now at the point where he's experienced a major burnt out, autistic burnout, and major regression." A Department for Education spokesperson said Ms Carter was "offered an option of a special class for her son" with a school offering her a tour, but she turned down the placement. "The department will continue to work [with] her and the family and have invited Ms Carter to be part of an existing parent forum/reference group," the spokesperson said. SA Autism Minister Emily Bourke defended the state government's autism strategy; she said tens of millions of dollars had been spent on autism specific initiatives that were already having an impact, with more than 400 autism inclusion teachers now working in state primary schools. "That change isn't going to happen overnight. It is going to take time because we are undoing learnings that have been in place for decades," she said. In response to questions about Oaklan's school experience, Ms Bourke said the government was trying to work with families to find the right support. "That's never easy to hear, and I guess as a government we're trying to work with families," Ms Bourke said. "There are many families in our school system and we try and work with them when we're aware of what is needed. However, Ms Bourke denied Paige Carter's criticism that the autism community had been let down. She said Labor Government had delivered far beyond what is promised in the lead-up to the state election in 2022. The SA Premier was also contacted for comment. The state's peak autism body, Autism SA, said despite the government's investments and the creation of the state's autism strategy, many people in the autistic community felt the government had not delivered any real change to their lives. "[Paige] represents perhaps a good portion of the autistic and autism community, particularly the parents of autistic students who feel change hasn't happened quick enough," CEO Helen Graham said. "So I can see certainly why she feels let down. Ms Carter has also questioned the effectiveness of autism inclusion teachers. She said a specific classroom for autistic students with specialist teachers and support staff in schools would be a better option. "Our autistic kids are amazing and they have such incredible qualities, but we need people to nurture them the way that we as their parents do, for their life to be successful," Ms Carter said. Autism Minister Emily Bourke and the Education Department said that approach had "failed" in the past. "Some of those experiments where we've put autistic kids together in the past, we did it in South Australia years and years ago and they've failed and they've not really worked very well for students," Education Department chief executive, Martin Westwell said. Mr Westwell said that South Australia's autism reforms were world leading and praised the creation of autism inclusion teachers. "That's something that has been incredibly successful," Mr Westwell said. "I think we can build on that success and we're thinking about expanding from primary schools and where that might be successful in secondary schools." But Autism SA CEO Helen Graham said having more supports were needed beyond adding extra responsibilities for teachers through the autism inclusion teacher program. "This idea that we ask a teacher to be everything all the time is unfair … there are so many organisations out there that autism is everything they know and do," Ms Graham said. "They're a good start, but are they are they actually achieving the outcomes that the individuals need? I'm not sure, time will tell. "I think what we're hearing is the community saying we've waited two years, autism inclusion teachers came in in 2023 … and we're not getting those results, but I think what they can be reassured of is that the minister does listen." Ms Carter is now vowing to keep pressure on the state government to do more to help her son and thousands of children across the state facing the same challenges. "Our children should not be left behind just because it's going to cost more money. "Our kids deserve an education just like any other child."
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
State Liberals hit back at critics and launch campaign
Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians. The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June. It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018. Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances. Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable. Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid. However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence". "His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said. "The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes." The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. "After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley. Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in head to the polls on July 19. Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians. The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June. It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018. Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances. Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable. Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid. However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence". "His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said. "The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes." The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. "After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley. Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in head to the polls on July 19. Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians. The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June. It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018. Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances. Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable. Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid. However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence". "His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said. "The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes." The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. "After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley. Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in head to the polls on July 19. Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians. The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June. It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018. Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances. Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable. Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid. However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence". "His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said. "The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes." The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project. The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts. "After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley. Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in head to the polls on July 19.
Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Allan government holding $400m from Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution
The Allan government is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars desperately needed for roads, parks, libraries and swimming pools in Melbourne's outer suburbs. Landowners and developers in the city's booming growth areas have coughed up more than $1.4 billion to fund desperately needed local infrastructure. But the state government is banking more than $230 million, despite pleas from councils to fund key projects. Melbourne's west is handing over almost as much as the north and south corridors combined but being snubbed on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of projects. The levy – known as the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution – has been collected by councils from developers of new housing estates since 2010 to help fund local schools, services and recreational spaces. It is then pooled by the state government who decides when and where it is allocated across seven areas, including Melton, Mitchell and Casey. Despite desperate calls for funding to fix crumbling roads, new sporting fields and public transport services, figures showed just 72.4 per cent had been committed to projects as of March — leaving a $396 million gap. Top contributor, Melton, had only had 51.2 per cent of the funds it had raised committed to local projects, according to the data — the lowest commitment rate. Northern Melbourne – Mitchell, Hume and Whittlesea – were also being short changed, raising $130 million more than what had been committed to local projects. Melbourne's southeast – Casey and Cardinia – are punching above their weight, with almost all of the funds collected flowing back to local projects. A government spokesman claimed the publicly available figures were outdated and that the gap had decreased from $396 million to $234 million, with a total of $1.2 billion committed. However, he refused to provide the data. The most recent projects funded under GAIC have been the $60 million spent on the Ison Road Overpass in Werribee, $35 million towards a new school in Cobblebank, and more than $150 million for new bus services across Melbourne. Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Cath Evans said communities in Melbourne's west were waiting too long to see the benefits of GAIC funding. 'The purpose of the levy is to deliver timely infrastructure to support population growth — but delays in spending mean families are moving into new suburbs without the roads, schools and health facilities they urgently need,' she said. City of Melton Mayor Steve Abboushi called on the state government to commit to a 'guaranteed percentage of funding and associated transparency' to help fund pools, libraries and active transport. He urged the government to match a $15 million Commonwealth commitment to the new Plumpton Aquatic and Leisure Centre. 'As one of the fastest growing areas in Australia, we need urgent investment in transport infrastructure including additional train stations, bus services, and investment in associated infrastructure in public transport such as carparking,' he said. Wingate Director of Research Andrew Perkins said while the intent behind GAIC was strong, delivery needed to 'keep pace' with growth to ensure communities get the infrastructure they need when they need it. Opposition planning infrastructure spokesman Richard Riordan said greenfield developers were 'beyond frustrated' as he accused government of stockpiling the funds to help offset the budget. It comes as furious Point Cook residents lashed Wyndham Council after they decided to spend $24 million in separate developer contributions in other parts of the LGA. Point Cook resident Dwayne Kelly, who started a petition, said the decision had caused an 'uproar among Point Cook residents' who had been calling for new sporting facilities.
