Department of Treasury

Every West Australian household will receive a $600 credit towards their electricity bills as part of the upcoming state budget.

Western Power chief executive Guy Chalkley has been appointed to the network operator’s board, while Kathryn Barrie will wear two hats as a director of the business and continuing in a senior role at the Public Utilities Office.

Asian Engagement Minister Peter Tinley has talked up Western Australia’s business opportunities with Indonesia, as federal parliament is set to ratify a significant trade deal with the South-East Asian country.

The state government’s most accomplished minister is planning to retire at next year’s state election, dealing a blow to premier Mark McGowan, with a handful of current ministers seen as potential successors should Labor be re-elected.

A 3.1 per cent contraction of Western Australia’s economy is anticipated in the 2021 financial year, following a 5 per cent fall in the current quarter, but Treasurer Ben Wyatt is more optimistic about the pace of recovery than he was two months ago.

Every Western Australian household will receive a $600 credit towards their electricity bills as part of the upcoming state budget.

A second wave of COVID-19 in Western Australia remains the single biggest threat to the state’s economy, according to Premier Mark McGowan.

A big boost in royalty income has largely offset the revenue hit of COVID-19, as Treasurer Ben Wyatt borrows in the hope of an infrastructure-led recovery.

There’s reason to be optimistic about the state’s economic recovery in 2021, with a skills shortage looming as a potential challenge.

Higher iron ore prices and a hot property market will boost the state government’s operating surplus to $3.1 billion, but that money doesn’t stay in the bank.

The benchmark price of iron ore has moved above $US200 per tonne for the first time, despite growing diplomatic tensions with China, the largest buyer of the steelmaking commodity.

BUDGET: COVID-19 has become endemic in this year’s state budget, with a potential outbreak hanging bleakly over the state’s economic and fiscal outlook.

BUDGET: When Australia suffered through its first major pandemic lockdown last year, Western Australians supported other states to the tune of more than $21 billion.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA has condemned “concerning” reports that businesses may be forced to pay tax on grants they received during COVID-19.

WA recorded a $4.4 billion surplus in the first quarter of this financial year, thanks in large part to a generous GST top-up grant and growing royalty revenue.

Higher public sector wages, new transport projects and Burrup Peninsula infrastructure are among $2.2 billion of state government spending announced as rising tax revenue fills treasury coffers.

The Commonwealth Bank has won a $100 million contract to provide banking services to the state government for at least three years.

Perth company Pit Crew Consulting has accused the state government of inappropriately using its in-depth labour market forecasting report and failing to pay for the material.

Opposition figureheads have called for a greater focus on servicing debt and funding hospitals in the state’s upcoming budget.

Tax reform is firmly on the opposition’s agenda in light of last week’s budget, with treasury spokesperson Steve Thomas calling for the state government to think big on payroll tax.

Ad Astra Corporate Advisory and McGrath Nicol were paid more than $1million over just six months to advise on the failed sale of the WA TAB.

ANALYSIS: Mark McGowan’s ministerial reshuffle was in many respects a sideshow – real power in the government remains with a small group of ministers and advisers close to the premier.

Senior editor Mark Pownall goes behind some of the stories that feature in this year's dynasties feature.

The state government has launched a strategic review of Gold Corporation, which operates the Perth Mint, with a sale of the business one option.

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.

Western Australia’s population growth rate is expected to fall below the long-run average after providing a brief fillip to the economy this year.

PwC is under attack on multiple fronts with the federal government ordering consultants to stand down and tightening procurement rules after police launched a criminal probe.

Australia’s population has recorded its fastest growth in 15 years as overseas immigration surged with WA achieving the most rapid growth of any state.

New Treasury figures show Australia outperforming major advanced economies in the past 12 months for employment growth.

The next 40 years will “belong” to Western Australia as the nation responds to intergenerational challenges, according to Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

The amount of unclaimed money in the Department of Treasury’s register has grown almost 35 per cent since 2020, to around $160 million in 2023.

Treasury data has revealed primary school teachers, nurses and truck drivers will be among those best off under the government’s contentiously revised stage-three tax cuts.

Western Australia’s share of GST payments will increase to $7.25 billion in 2024-25, while NSW and Queensland will get less after a spike in their coal royalties.

A surge in overseas migration and continued strong interstate migration has resulted in Western Australia’s population growing at its fastest rate in 14 years.

ANALYSIS: The cumulative value of the WA government’s pre-budget spending announcements is nearing $3 billion – a day out from Treasurer Rita Saffioti’s first official budget release.

The state government has forecast continued budget surpluses but behind the headline numbers lie big “cash deficits” and a large increase in state debt.

Surging investment in resources projects has bolstered economic growth this year while in future years Treasury expects housing and government investment to be the key drivers.

Western Australia's population growth rate has dipped slightly but remains the fastest growing in the country, helped by solid gains from interstate migration.

Western Australia’s population growth rate has eased for the third quarter in a row but remains the fastest in the country and well above the state’s long-term average.

Outgoing under treasurer Michael Barnes has revealed a $2.7 billion revenue uptick in the state’s economic forward projections, driven by the flow-on effects of a weak Australian dollar.