Media Release | 19 June 2025
Basil Zempilas MLA
Leader of the Opposition
Shane Love MLA
Leader of The Nationals WA
Sandra Brewer MLA
Shadow Treasurer
Today’s State Budget is a budget of missed opportunities, misplaced priorities and more pain for those already doing it tough.
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said the Budget does little to address serious issues in housing, health and education and reinforces the Cook Labor Government’s focus on the wrong priorities for Western Australians.
“The cost-of-living relief so desperately needed by many Western Australians has not materialised, despite the Premier saying it was his number one priority,” Mr Zempilas said.
“It appears the Government have deliberately misled Western Australians by saying there is a $52 decrease in household fees and charges.
“In fact, households need to find another $382 to cover fees and charges.
“There is a further 2.5 per cent increase in energy and water charges and a 5 per cent increase in the Emergency Services Levy,” Mr Zempilas said.
“And the cost of driving a car will now be over $1000 per year.”
Shadow Treasurer Sandra Brewer said that the Treasurer had deliberately excluded last year’s $400 electricity credit in calculating the ‘household basket’ to give the illusion of a saving.
“It’s financial trickery, plain and simple. There is no $52 saving as claimed. Families are actually facing nearly $400 in extra costs and if you don’t use public transport regularly or don’t have school-aged kids, there’s virtually nothing in this Budget to help you.
“Renters, mortgage holders, working families – this Budget offers no real relief.”
Ms Brewer also criticised the government’s lack of financial discipline.
“Despite promising to pay down debt ‘like a mortgage,’ and years of record revenue, debt is now projected to hit $42.5 billion within four years,’ Ms Brewer said.
“That’s an almost $9 billion increase in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime boom.
“Blowing surplus after surplus while leaving the burden for future generations is financial mismanagement.
“Labor’s refusal to allocate surpluses to debt reduction is proof they’ve abandoned responsible economic stewardship.”
Ms Brewer said the economic pain inflicted by the government isn’t just being felt by households.
“This Budget is yet another example of misplaced priorities. Transport infrastructure, mainly METRONET, continues to dominate spending, at double the budget for health and education over the next four years.
“Hospital waitlists have ballooned, with elective surgery numbers rising from 19,000 in 2017 to nearly 30,000 today. Ambulance ramping remains at record levels, yet investment in frontline health is falling behind.
“Meanwhile, small and medium businesses are being punished with higher costs, more red tape and no support. This government is happy to take their taxes but gives little back in return.”
Ms Brewer said while WA is the wealthiest state, the benefits are not being shared fairly.
“The Cook Labor Government is out of touch, addicted to spin, and unwilling to confront the real problems facing Western Australians.”
Nationals Leader Shane Love said the Labor Government is reaping the benefits of a booming resources sector yet continues to starve the very regions that generate the wealth.
“The Treasurer has shamelessly pillaged Royalties for Regions to fund projects that should be paid for out of consolidated revenue, basic government services across all departments and utilities. It’s become nothing more than a fund to prop up the Budget and bankroll Labor’s agenda,” Mr Love said.
“Worse still, this Government has flatly refused to deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief for regional families. While Labor is focused on projects like the Burswood Racetrack, people in the bush are being told to make do with fewer services, higher costs, and no support.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Marty Lake | 0405 068 590
