A $715 million state budget package to ease financial pressures from households will include $450 million worth in energy bill relief from the WA government.
ANALYSIS: The state budget has been designed so Mark McGowan can announce unexpectedly good outcomes in future but also sets the scene for a bitter GST battle with other states.
Payroll tax changes will save Western Australia’s largest employers around $230 million next financial year, according to state government budget papers.
A move to extend the price cap for apartments eligible for stamp duty rebate is expected to cost the state government $33 million, as part of a $750 million package to boost housing.
The McGowan government’s seventh annual budget features a $3.3 billion surplus, with households and businesses to benefit from $566 million in energy bill credits and modest payroll tax relief.
The rent assistance limit has been increased to help more than one million Australian households, which is expected to cost the federal government $2.7 billion over five years.
Western Australia's auditor general has highlighted concerns over the state government's $580 million spending during the pandemic, with millions of rapid antigen tests remaining unused.
The state government will invest $511 million to tackle the housing crisis as part of the upcoming Western Australian budget, including building 700 new homes.
Graham Hill will join the State Solicitor's Office next month after being Legal Aid Western Australia chief executive and director for the past five years.
The state government has announced a $420 million budget commitment to boost mental health initiatives, including an upgrade of Graylands Hospital in Mount Claremont.
Western Australia’s resources industry has smashed another annual record, with weaker iron ore prices made up for by the state’s flourishing lithium sector and soaring oil and gas prices.
A declassified version of a major defence review has recommended Australia shift its focus to long-range missiles and onshore ammunition manufacturing.
ANALYSIS: Philip Lowe says changes proposed in the RBA review will have a "marginal" impact on the economy, but crucially, the panel has reaffirmed the bank's inflation target.
Woodside Energy chief executive Meg O'Neill says the company backs an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, while also taking aim at a 'vocal minority' accused of trying to shut down the oil and gas industry.
Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres has used a speech at a business forum to outline the strengths of Australia's economic relationship with the Solomon Islands.
Janet Reah holds no regrets about calling for the ANF to strike over the objections of the state's industrial relations watchdog, despite the union now facing fines worth a cumulative $27 million.
