At the heart of the budget was a $715 million cost-of-living relief package,the lion’s share of which – $599 million – will be funded by the state and the rest by the Commonwealth.
WA Premier Mark McGowan unveiled the latest budget – and his government’s sixth surplus – on Thursday.Hamish Hastie
Every WA household will get at least $400 off their electricity bill under the budget,which McGowan promised would mean household fees were lower next financial year than they were five years ago.
“This is recognition households across our state are weathering the storm of global inflation and interest rate rises,” he said.
But many remain concerned by everyday expenses including rent,bills and business costs.
We spoke to three West Australians for their thoughts on the latest news on the state’s finances.
Anthony Pollard,FIFO dad
Busselton family Ellie,Louie and Anthony Pollard.Supplied
FIFO worker Anthony Pollard lives in Busselton with his wife Ellie,son Louie and the family is expecting a second child in September.
He said while the $400 electricity credit announced for all WA households helped address one cost-of-living pressure,more assistance could have been offered.
“The energy credit definitely helps out with the power bill,but we are still getting hurt financially every day when we buy groceries and use child care,” he said.
“I don’t see much in the state budget that will improve the cost of living day-to-day.”
Pollard said he was pleased the budget allocated $2.7 billion to the state’s health and mental health services over the next 12 months.
Jake Carter,Good Things café owner
Good Things cafe owner Jake Carter.Holly Thompson
Small business owner Jake Carter runs the Good Things cafés in Fremantle and Mosman Park.
He welcomed the $650 electricity credit for small businesses that used up to 50MWh of power each year,but said more was needed including improvements to payroll tax which he said was “crippling” for small business owners,particularly if they wanted to expand.
“Our margins are getting smaller with increased supply costs,rents and wages and there doesn’t seem to be a ceiling for rising costs,” he said.
“People will always buy their coffee,it is usually an affordable pleasure for them,but with every rate rise we notice a lull in customer spending,particularly in food sales.”
Jessie Barbour,self-employed single mum
Jessie Barbour with her 15-year-old daughter Sian.Supplied
Single mum Jessie Barbour decided to rent her home with another single mother and her children after struggling with the growing cost-of-living crisis.
She said while she was lucky her living situation was working out well,she was constantly stressed about rent rises and the possibility they would need to vacate the property.
“You just never know what is going to happen or how much your rent will go up,there is no security in rentals,” she said.
“It would have been good to see more assistance for renters in the state budget.”
Barbour was grateful for the $400 electricity credit handed out,but said more needed to be done to support the state’s most vulnerable.
“There has been investment in social housing,but they won’t be built for a long time and there is no solution while we wait,” she said.
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