Media Release | 3 August 2025
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Local Government
Shadow Minister for Local Government Kirrilee Warr MLA has responded to the Cook Labor Government’s proposed changes to the Local Government Act, accusing the State of increasing overreach and turning regional WA into a “cash cow” while failing to deliver the support promised under Royalties for Regions.
Ms Warr said the changes, revealed in media reports this week, are yet another example of Labor’s top-down approach.
While the changes are in response to a recent court ruling concerning revenue from miscellaneous mining licences, Ms Warr said “the broader issue is Labor’s chronic failure to properly support Local Governments, particularly in the regions.”
“Local Governments are already stretched, operating with limited and often unsustainable revenue streams,” Ms Warr said.
“Regional councils are also increasingly being forced to step in to fill service delivery gaps – funding health services, securing GPs, and managing housing shortages – leaving fewer resources for roads, parks, footpaths and local infrastructure.”
“The mining industry can bring benefits to local businesses and play a critical role in driving the economy, however it also places significant strain on local infrastructure and roads that fall squarely on the shoulders of local government and costing local rate payers.”
“It’s clear the State Government is failing to reinvest a fair share of WA’s wealth back into the communities that help generate it.”
“If Royalties for Regions was being used as it was originally intended, local governments would feel far more supported than they do now.”
“Instead, they’re being asked to do more with less, while the State pockets the benefits.”
“Royalties for Regions was designed to invest in infrastructure, community projects, and liveability across regional WA, not to be absorbed into general expenditure or used to balance the State Budget,”
“Labor is making life harder for regional Western Australians, all while treating the regions as a revenue source to fund vanity projects in Perth like their $217 million Burswood Racetrack.”
ENDS
