WA budget
The surprise state topping Australia’s economic ladder
It’s not WA, although the mining state is fast gaining on top spot, leading on relative population growth and home lending metrics.
- by Jacob Shteyman and Abe Maddison
Latest
Exclusive
East Perth
Multimillion-dollar plans vanish from WA budget as East Perth power station site costs balloon
The $39.5 million set aside for Main Roads WA to build the footbridge across East Parade has vanished from the budget papers, with just $2.4 million spent on the project to date.
- by Hamish Hastie
Exclusive
Regional Australia
WA government spends $2 million to prop up ailing regional newspapers
The scheme was only made public after the May WA budget included a line item detailing a further $1 million for “phase two” over the 2024-25 financial year.
- by Hamish Hastie
Opposition wary of WA government splashing cash on in-house lawyers
The Department of Premier and Cabinet will spend $6 million over the next four years to establish a four-person in-house legal team.
- by Hamish Hastie
‘We’re giving far more than we’re getting’: WA fires warning shot over GST blowout
WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti reckons critics of the current GST should “read the other parts of the budget where WA revenues are propping up” much of the federal government’s revenue.
- by Hamish Hastie
What’s in the federal budget for WA? Your cheat sheet
The federal budget includes major additional funding to cover the enormous cost blowouts that have dragged on the Metronet budget in the past year.
- by Hamish Hastie
Your top WA budget questions answered: Our reporters explain the details
Over the past few days, you’ve been sending through your burning budget questions. Here to answer them is WAtoday state politics reporter Hamish Hastie and business reporter Peter Milne.
- by Hamish Hastie and Peter Milne
What West Australians think of the state budget
Amid all the chest-beating spin from the government, each line item in the budget will have a real impact on West Australians. So we asked them what they thought.
- by Hamish Hastie, Sarah Brookes, Holly Thompson, Jesinta Burton and Peter Milne
Opinion
Iron ore
WA is finding it hard to admit it has a spending problem
Most of WA’s increased spend is demand-driven thanks to roaring population growth placing pressure on housing, education and health budgets.
- by Hamish Hastie
Metronet costs balloon by $700 million as state pays to get people moving
Stage one of the Labor government’s flagship Metronet project climbed $2 billion in 2023 alone, taking the total cost of the network to around $11.5 billion.
- by Holly Thompson
Your five-minute guide to WA’s budget winners and losers
Treasurer Rita Saffioti has used her first-ever budget to address the key issues facing the state. So, how did you fare?
- by Jesinta Burton