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West Australian
30-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Matt O'Sullivan: WA is Samwise to the Prime Minister's Frodo
Western Australia is the engine room of our nation, an inexhaustible source of iron ore, natural gas, gold, and other critical minerals that fuel our economy and boost the Federal Government's bottom line. In 2023–24, our gross State product hit $455.7 billion, making up 17.1 per cent of Australia's GDP. We're a key economic powerhouse. And yet, we are consistently underfunded by Federal infrastructure measures. This isn't an oversight. It's a deliberate pattern of neglect by an Eastern States–focused Federal Labor Government, compounded by a State Labor Government that is either shockingly passive or quietly complicit in short-changing our State. In the Albanese Government's March Budget, just 2 per cent of the new $17.1b in national road and rail funding was assigned to WA infrastructure. That's not just inadequate, it's an insult. The only new WA project explicitly earmarked for immediate funding was $350 million for the Kwinana Freeway widening, covering less than half the cost and leaving WA to cover the rest. To make matters worse, WA is the only State whose road funding is set to decrease over the forward estimates. That's not a 'fluctuation,' as State Treasurer Rita Saffioti claims, it's an outright cut. A purposeful one. Meanwhile, crucial projects like the $450m Erindale Road–Reid Highway interchange, a jointly funded Commonwealth–State priority will be drip-fed Federal funds over almost a decade. But what happens when inflation blows out the cost of this project? Who will be left to pick up the tab? Honestly, the whole situation feels like something out of The Lord of the Rings. WA is Samwise Gamgee, carrying the load, climbing the mountain, doing the work. The Prime Minister is Frodo, technically in charge, but hesitant, unreliable, and ultimately unable to do the hard stuff when it counts. And let's not forget, Frodo didn't even throw the ring into Mount Doom. He faltered. He claimed it. It only fell in by accident. Sam got him there. That's WA, faithfully hauling the weight of the national economy, only to see Canberra hesitate, dither, or take credit for outcomes it didn't earn, then offer our State a few crumbs and call it 'partnership'. So why is WA Labor sitting back in the face of this neglect? Why is Rita Saffioti so eager to explain away Federal shortfalls rather than fight for WA's fair share? Maybe she's too busy planning a $217m taxpayer-funded racetrack in Burswood, a project nobody asked for, while essential freight routes and congestion solutions are left unfunded. The ghost of the Perth Freight Link still haunts the southern suburbs of Perth. Infrastructure Australia identified it as a nationally significant project that would have eased congestion and improved freight movement in the southern corridor. WA Labor made cancelling it an election promise, and once in government, they scrapped it. Federal Labor followed suit, removing the Commonwealth's earmarked funding. Neither of them offered a serious alternative. The result? WA remains without a coherent freight infrastructure plan, and the economic costs are being borne by commuters, businesses, and taxpayers to this day. Meanwhile, Queensland just secured $7.2b for the Bruce Highway. Victoria got a $1b 'road blitz'. WA? We received the smallest slice of the pie, and it's getting smaller. The State Government's own infrastructure commitments, $38 billion over the forward estimates, including $12 billion in 2025–26, may seem ambitious on paper. But that's not out of choice. It's out of necessity. WA taxpayers are being forced to fill the gaps left by federal under-investment. This isn't how the federation should operate. It's not how infrastructure partnerships are meant to work. During the recent election Anthony Albanese talked a big game about how Federal Labor were working with the Cook Labor Government to build WA's future. But if you follow the money, this narrative becomes a house of cards. WA needs a new deal. We are being let down by a Federal Government that prioritises political convenience over fairness, and by a State Government that refuses to stand up for us. Both must be held accountable. The Federal Government must end the political games and provide a consistent and immediate share of infrastructure funding. One that reflects both WA's contribution to the nation and our growing infrastructure requirements. And the State Government must grow a backbone. It must stop accepting delayed promises and start fighting for WA, because WA builds the nation. We deserve a deal that builds us too. Matt O'Sullivan is a Liberal Senator for WA and shadow assistant minister for infrastructure, fisheries and forestry.
The Advertiser
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Budget billions helps cashed-up state lead debt battle
The nation's wealthiest state is on track to remain an outlier on debt compared to other jurisdictions as it unveils another massive surplus. Western Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti's second state budget on Thursday delivered a $2.5 billion windfall for the current financial year, with a further $2.4 billion surplus projected for 2025-26. It's the state's seventh consecutive operating surplus, which the Cook government says will help the resource-rich state diversify and set its economy up for the future. "This budget is about fortifying Western Australia from these global shocks," she told reporters at the budget lockup. "We've focused on strong economic management and strong finances. "We could blow all the money and then leave unsustainable debt for our future generations, but we're not going to do that." Net debt is expected to grow to $33.6 billion at the end of the current financial year, $1.1 billion more than forecast in December, and expand to $42.4 billion over the forward estimates. The treasurer said debt was more than $10 billion lower than projected when WA Labor came to office in 2017. At 7.5 per cent of Gross State Product, the state's debt levels are the lowest in the nation, with net debt to GSP forecast to remain well below 10 per cent of GSP over the next four years. By contrast, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia all have net debt to GSP ratios growing to an average of more than 20 per cent or more over the next four years. WA had gone from having the highest ratio of net debt as a percentage of GSP in the country at 13.8 per cent under the previous Liberal-National government to having the lowest under WA Labor, Ms Saffioti said. WA's relatively lower debt position can be linked to its controversial GST deal, consulting firm Adept Economics said. Debt is climbing rapidly in all states except WA over the next four years, according to the firm's analysis. Victoria has the worst debt outlook, while NSW, SA and Queensland are competing for the second-worst position, it said By 2027-28, gross state debt per capita will be $35,000 in Victoria, $30,000 in SA, $29,000 in Queensland and $28,000 in NSW. Western Australia had the most favourable debt outlook at about $18,000. Ms Saffioti said WA was the most resilient state in the nation and with manageable debt levels. The market for WA's key commodity, iron ore, also remained strong, along with domestic consumption and the jobs market, but global impacts on international trading partners could be significant in the future, she said. The treasurer said WA's controversial GST share was fundamental to the state's ability to fund new industrial projects that sent much of their revenue to federal coffers. WEST AUSTRALIAN LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET FOR 2025/26 * Surplus: $2.4 billion * Revenue: $50.2 billion * Expenditure: $ 47.8 billion * Net debt: $38.9 billion * GST revenue: $7.8 billion * Employment growth: 1.75 per cent * Economic growth: 2.5 per cent The nation's wealthiest state is on track to remain an outlier on debt compared to other jurisdictions as it unveils another massive surplus. Western Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti's second state budget on Thursday delivered a $2.5 billion windfall for the current financial year, with a further $2.4 billion surplus projected for 2025-26. It's the state's seventh consecutive operating surplus, which the Cook government says will help the resource-rich state diversify and set its economy up for the future. "This budget is about fortifying Western Australia from these global shocks," she told reporters at the budget lockup. "We've focused on strong economic management and strong finances. "We could blow all the money and then leave unsustainable debt for our future generations, but we're not going to do that." Net debt is expected to grow to $33.6 billion at the end of the current financial year, $1.1 billion more than forecast in December, and expand to $42.4 billion over the forward estimates. The treasurer said debt was more than $10 billion lower than projected when WA Labor came to office in 2017. At 7.5 per cent of Gross State Product, the state's debt levels are the lowest in the nation, with net debt to GSP forecast to remain well below 10 per cent of GSP over the next four years. By contrast, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia all have net debt to GSP ratios growing to an average of more than 20 per cent or more over the next four years. WA had gone from having the highest ratio of net debt as a percentage of GSP in the country at 13.8 per cent under the previous Liberal-National government to having the lowest under WA Labor, Ms Saffioti said. WA's relatively lower debt position can be linked to its controversial GST deal, consulting firm Adept Economics said. Debt is climbing rapidly in all states except WA over the next four years, according to the firm's analysis. Victoria has the worst debt outlook, while NSW, SA and Queensland are competing for the second-worst position, it said By 2027-28, gross state debt per capita will be $35,000 in Victoria, $30,000 in SA, $29,000 in Queensland and $28,000 in NSW. Western Australia had the most favourable debt outlook at about $18,000. Ms Saffioti said WA was the most resilient state in the nation and with manageable debt levels. The market for WA's key commodity, iron ore, also remained strong, along with domestic consumption and the jobs market, but global impacts on international trading partners could be significant in the future, she said. The treasurer said WA's controversial GST share was fundamental to the state's ability to fund new industrial projects that sent much of their revenue to federal coffers. WEST AUSTRALIAN LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET FOR 2025/26 * Surplus: $2.4 billion * Revenue: $50.2 billion * Expenditure: $ 47.8 billion * Net debt: $38.9 billion * GST revenue: $7.8 billion * Employment growth: 1.75 per cent * Economic growth: 2.5 per cent The nation's wealthiest state is on track to remain an outlier on debt compared to other jurisdictions as it unveils another massive surplus. Western Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti's second state budget on Thursday delivered a $2.5 billion windfall for the current financial year, with a further $2.4 billion surplus projected for 2025-26. It's the state's seventh consecutive operating surplus, which the Cook government says will help the resource-rich state diversify and set its economy up for the future. "This budget is about fortifying Western Australia from these global shocks," she told reporters at the budget lockup. "We've focused on strong economic management and strong finances. "We could blow all the money and then leave unsustainable debt for our future generations, but we're not going to do that." Net debt is expected to grow to $33.6 billion at the end of the current financial year, $1.1 billion more than forecast in December, and expand to $42.4 billion over the forward estimates. The treasurer said debt was more than $10 billion lower than projected when WA Labor came to office in 2017. At 7.5 per cent of Gross State Product, the state's debt levels are the lowest in the nation, with net debt to GSP forecast to remain well below 10 per cent of GSP over the next four years. By contrast, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia all have net debt to GSP ratios growing to an average of more than 20 per cent or more over the next four years. WA had gone from having the highest ratio of net debt as a percentage of GSP in the country at 13.8 per cent under the previous Liberal-National government to having the lowest under WA Labor, Ms Saffioti said. WA's relatively lower debt position can be linked to its controversial GST deal, consulting firm Adept Economics said. Debt is climbing rapidly in all states except WA over the next four years, according to the firm's analysis. Victoria has the worst debt outlook, while NSW, SA and Queensland are competing for the second-worst position, it said By 2027-28, gross state debt per capita will be $35,000 in Victoria, $30,000 in SA, $29,000 in Queensland and $28,000 in NSW. Western Australia had the most favourable debt outlook at about $18,000. Ms Saffioti said WA was the most resilient state in the nation and with manageable debt levels. The market for WA's key commodity, iron ore, also remained strong, along with domestic consumption and the jobs market, but global impacts on international trading partners could be significant in the future, she said. The treasurer said WA's controversial GST share was fundamental to the state's ability to fund new industrial projects that sent much of their revenue to federal coffers. WEST AUSTRALIAN LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET FOR 2025/26 * Surplus: $2.4 billion * Revenue: $50.2 billion * Expenditure: $ 47.8 billion * Net debt: $38.9 billion * GST revenue: $7.8 billion * Employment growth: 1.75 per cent * Economic growth: 2.5 per cent The nation's wealthiest state is on track to remain an outlier on debt compared to other jurisdictions as it unveils another massive surplus. Western Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti's second state budget on Thursday delivered a $2.5 billion windfall for the current financial year, with a further $2.4 billion surplus projected for 2025-26. It's the state's seventh consecutive operating surplus, which the Cook government says will help the resource-rich state diversify and set its economy up for the future. "This budget is about fortifying Western Australia from these global shocks," she told reporters at the budget lockup. "We've focused on strong economic management and strong finances. "We could blow all the money and then leave unsustainable debt for our future generations, but we're not going to do that." Net debt is expected to grow to $33.6 billion at the end of the current financial year, $1.1 billion more than forecast in December, and expand to $42.4 billion over the forward estimates. The treasurer said debt was more than $10 billion lower than projected when WA Labor came to office in 2017. At 7.5 per cent of Gross State Product, the state's debt levels are the lowest in the nation, with net debt to GSP forecast to remain well below 10 per cent of GSP over the next four years. By contrast, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia all have net debt to GSP ratios growing to an average of more than 20 per cent or more over the next four years. WA had gone from having the highest ratio of net debt as a percentage of GSP in the country at 13.8 per cent under the previous Liberal-National government to having the lowest under WA Labor, Ms Saffioti said. WA's relatively lower debt position can be linked to its controversial GST deal, consulting firm Adept Economics said. Debt is climbing rapidly in all states except WA over the next four years, according to the firm's analysis. Victoria has the worst debt outlook, while NSW, SA and Queensland are competing for the second-worst position, it said By 2027-28, gross state debt per capita will be $35,000 in Victoria, $30,000 in SA, $29,000 in Queensland and $28,000 in NSW. Western Australia had the most favourable debt outlook at about $18,000. Ms Saffioti said WA was the most resilient state in the nation and with manageable debt levels. The market for WA's key commodity, iron ore, also remained strong, along with domestic consumption and the jobs market, but global impacts on international trading partners could be significant in the future, she said. The treasurer said WA's controversial GST share was fundamental to the state's ability to fund new industrial projects that sent much of their revenue to federal coffers. WEST AUSTRALIAN LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET FOR 2025/26 * Surplus: $2.4 billion * Revenue: $50.2 billion * Expenditure: $ 47.8 billion * Net debt: $38.9 billion * GST revenue: $7.8 billion * Employment growth: 1.75 per cent * Economic growth: 2.5 per cent
Perth Now
19-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Budget billions helps cashed-up state lead debt battle
The nation's wealthiest state is on track to remain an outlier on debt compared to other jurisdictions as it unveils another massive surplus. Western Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti's second state budget on Thursday delivered a $2.5 billion windfall for the current financial year, with a further $2.4 billion surplus projected for 2025-26. It's the state's seventh consecutive operating surplus, which the Cook government says will help the resource-rich state diversify and set its economy up for the future. "This budget is about fortifying Western Australia from these global shocks," she told reporters at the budget lockup. "We've focused on strong economic management and strong finances. "We could blow all the money and then leave unsustainable debt for our future generations, but we're not going to do that." Net debt is expected to grow to $33.6 billion at the end of the current financial year, $1.1 billion more than forecast in December, and expand to $42.4 billion over the forward estimates. The treasurer said debt was more than $10 billion lower than projected when WA Labor came to office in 2017. At 7.5 per cent of Gross State Product, the state's debt levels are the lowest in the nation, with net debt to GSP forecast to remain well below 10 per cent of GSP over the next four years. By contrast, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia all have net debt to GSP ratios growing to an average of more than 20 per cent or more over the next four years. WA had gone from having the highest ratio of net debt as a percentage of GSP in the country at 13.8 per cent under the previous Liberal-National government to having the lowest under WA Labor, Ms Saffioti said. WA's relatively lower debt position can be linked to its controversial GST deal, consulting firm Adept Economics said. Debt is climbing rapidly in all states except WA over the next four years, according to the firm's analysis. Victoria has the worst debt outlook, while NSW, SA and Queensland are competing for the second-worst position, it said By 2027-28, gross state debt per capita will be $35,000 in Victoria, $30,000 in SA, $29,000 in Queensland and $28,000 in NSW. Western Australia had the most favourable debt outlook at about $18,000. Ms Saffioti said WA was the most resilient state in the nation and with manageable debt levels. The market for WA's key commodity, iron ore, also remained strong, along with domestic consumption and the jobs market, but global impacts on international trading partners could be significant in the future, she said. The treasurer said WA's controversial GST share was fundamental to the state's ability to fund new industrial projects that sent much of their revenue to federal coffers. WEST AUSTRALIAN LABOR GOVERNMENT BUDGET FOR 2025/26 * Surplus: $2.4 billion * Revenue: $50.2 billion * Expenditure: $ 47.8 billion * Net debt: $38.9 billion * GST revenue: $7.8 billion * Employment growth: 1.75 per cent * Economic growth: 2.5 per cent
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Shelley Payne ends term as WA Labor MLC
My time as a member of the Legislative Council came to an end on May 21. It's been an honour to serve you as a member for the Agricultural Region during the last four years. It's been a busy job, but one I've thoroughly enjoyed. It was with great pride that I was able to establish the first WA Labor electorate office in Esperance in more than 30 years when former Premier Mark McGowan officially opened my office in 2021. I'm grateful to have met so many wonderful and hardworking people across our electorate during this time, listening to your concerns, and advocating for the needs of the many communities across the region. I am thankful to the many volunteers I've met that keep our communities safe and keep all our community groups running. Without you all, our communities wouldn't be what they are. As one of the few women to have had the pleasure of representing this region, it has been an absolute privilege to advocate for women, seniors, our First Nations people and those doing it tough. Our grant funding has supported many local sports clubs including new night lights at Esperance and Ports football clubs, Beach Volleyball Club and Esperance Kart Club. I'm excited to see there is new funding on the way for artificial turf at the hockey club. Our State-run Lotterywest has been a great help with funding for infrastructure upgrades at Esperance Goldfields Surf Lifesaving Club, funding to help Esperance Civic Centre bring more shows to town, and funding to help Esperance Care Services, Esperance Crisis Accommodation, Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Esperance Mechanical Restoration Group and many more. We've seen some wonderful new bike paths constructed across town, in partnership with the Shire of Esperance, thanks to the WA Bicycle Network Grants Program. Other local infrastructure projects that I was happy to see completed were the new Tafe building and the new jetty at Bandy Creek. I'm looking forward to the completion of the new Taylor Street jetty. It's been great to see the benefits of our Regional Economic Development grants awarded to local businesses to help with our booming tourism industry, such as Lucky Bay Brewery, Esperance Distillery and Bread Local. We've also helped local businesses such as Esperance Smash Repairs, Bedford Harbour Engineering, and Drake-Brockman Building and Construction. Our animal welfare grants have helped Lori-Ann and Colin to set up the new Esperance Wildlife Hospital, and Lynn at Roo Haven. It has been fantastic to see the implementation our nation-leading Plan for Plastics aimed at removing single-use plastics. We've also seen the implementation of our Containers for Change program which has saved more than three billion containers from landfill, with more than $12 million donated to schools, charities and community groups. I've done lots of driving across Esperance, the Great Southern and the Wheatbelt during the past four years, and had many trips to Perth for parliamentary sittings. Being on the road a lot, I am so thankful we've been able to invest more than $1 billion into regional road safety upgrades, with more than 10,000km completed already. This investment has been crucial to making our regional roads safer. We've seen the installation of four new electric vehicle chargers in town thanks to our State Government-run entity Horizon Power, and the completion of our EV Network, Australia's longest EV network. I've been delighted to see local residents experience the benefits of the introduction of the Regional Airfares Cap helping to connect those in the regions to Perth. We've also delivered a new Esperance bus service and reduced the prices of TransWA bus fares. Please use the local bus service so we can keep it operating. It is free for seniors with a seniors card. Attending medical appointments in the city is costly and it has been so good to see more Patient Assisted Travel Scheme funding, with increases to the overnight accommodation rate and per kilometre travel rebate. We've helped out seniors with the $400 Seniors' Safety and Security Rebate and we've announced our second increase to the Regional Pensioner Travel card — to $775 on July 1. I was pleased to be able to distribute an Esperance Seniors Directory to every senior in Esperance. We've delivered $2100 in electricity rebates to every household. I know this has made a big difference to help with the cost of living. We all know how expensive it is to keep up with school expenses, so I'm happy to see that we are delivering the second round of the Student Assistance Payment, giving another $150 to every kindy or pre-primary school student and $250 to primary and secondary school students. Along with the Country Week Assistance payment of $500 for Esperance students, this extra funding should really help. I look forward to the work that will soon get under way for planning of the new Esperance Senior High School. Further supporting those in need, we've delivered the rent relief program, slashed stamp duty for first-homebuyers, and expanded the school breakfast program to five days a week, in partnership with Foodbank. We've also invested significantly in support for mental health and domestic violence prevention. Our Government has achieved a lot this past term, making the biggest investment into regional WA than any other government in history. We've achieved a lot in Parliament, too, passing more than 140 pieces of legislation during the term, including making important legislative changes to modernise our abortion laws. With WA Labor elected for a third term, we are able to continue some of our great work supporting communities across WA. Particularly, I am pleased we can continue our investment into regional road safety upgrades, and continue the regional airfares cap, helping to connect regional people to the city. I wish everyone and their families all the best and look forward to seeing you around town.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
State Government's country week discount for regional families welcomed by Geraldton MLA
The State Government's announcement of funding for regional students attending country week has been welcomed by Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr. On Wednesday, the Cook Government followed through on its election commitment, putting $8 million over the next four years to assist regional families, which will be included in next month's State Budget. Students in Geraldton and other areas more than 300km from Perth will have their costs reduced by $500, while areas less than 300km from Perth will get a $250 discount. Premier Roger Cook said the funding was to assist with the cost of living. 'The Cook Government is committed to providing more relief to regional Western Australians experiencing cost-of-living pressures,' he said. 'By assisting with travel and accommodation costs, we're backing parents and helping ensure all students can be part of country week.' Schools in the Mid West will head to Perth later this year to compete in a range of sports against schools from other parts of the State. Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr said the importance of the week for regional students was not lost on her. 'I am pleased to see WA Labor honouring their election commitment to help regional families and students manage the costs of attending country week,' she said. 'Country week is more than just a competition. 'It fosters teamwork, school pride, and the development of enduring friendships. 'It is an event that is enjoyed by thousands of regional students each year, and this funding will help to reduce financial barriers for regional families to enjoy this great event.'
