❓ Ms. Brewer questions Premier Cook on cost-of-living relief, citing increased charges and cuts to programs. Premier Cook defends his government's record, highlighting cost-of-living relief measures and criticizing the previous government's performance.
AnsweredQoN 235Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Cost-of-living relief—Election commitments235.Ms Sandra Brewerto
the Premier:I refer to the
Premier's election commitment that cost of living would be his top, number one
priority. Does he stand by that election commitment, given that in his first
budget after the election, he has increased power and water charges by 2.5% and
the emergency services levy by 5%, has cut free VacSwim entry and cut KidSport
vouchers and now, for the first time, has made it cost over $1,000 to put a car
on the road?
the Premier:I refer to the
Premier's election commitment that cost of living would be his top, number one
priority. Does he stand by that election commitment, given that in his first
budget after the election, he has increased power and water charges by 2.5% and
the emergency services levy by 5%, has cut free VacSwim entry and cut KidSport
vouchers and now, for the first time, has made it cost over $1,000 to put a car
on the road?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2025
Response time
0 days
Mr Roger Cook replied:I always said that
the WA Labor government would keep the economy strong and help those who are
doing it tough, and that is what we have done in this budget. There is $963 million
in cost-of-living relief—$200 million more than in the last budget. It
is another great effort to try to ease the cost of living for Western
Australian households. That includes $337 million for our residential battery
scheme, $152 million for a suburban flat fare across WA's public transport
network and $89 million for the second round of the WA student assistance
payment.We have $10 million to extend free public
transport for school students for 2026 and $4 million for the $300KidSport vouchers, which we are now extending to girl guides
and scouts. We have $3 million for our Access All Areas passes for kids, and $28
million to expand the breakfast program across 670 schools five days a week.
The list goes on, but I will not go on too much longer about the cost of living
because members can see that there are extensive programs right across the
budget in relation to cost-of-living increases.The rise in power
and water bills is below inflation—the same as it has been over the
last six years. That is a 0.8% decline in household fees and charges, and we
will administer the $150 power credit on behalf of the federal government.We have to look to
the record of those opposite to work out how truly bad it can get when it comes
to fees and charges.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Member for Cottesloe, you asked the
question. The Premier is responding. Carry on, Premier.Mr Roger Cook:Under the Liberals and Nationals, Western
Australia lost its Aaa credit rating, and it did so at a time when power prices
went up by 90%, water bills went up by 67% and car registrations went up by
$183 year after year after year. We also know that the Liberals and Nationals
destroyed the state's finances. We have managed to keep household utility cost
increases to a minimum and below inflation. We continue to do that while
keeping the state's finances strong. On both counts, the other side was a complete
and miserable failure.
Cost-of-living relief—Election commitments
the WA Labor government would keep the economy strong and help those who are
doing it tough, and that is what we have done in this budget. There is $963 million
in cost-of-living relief—$200 million more than in the last budget. It
is another great effort to try to ease the cost of living for Western
Australian households. That includes $337 million for our residential battery
scheme, $152 million for a suburban flat fare across WA's public transport
network and $89 million for the second round of the WA student assistance
payment.We have $10 million to extend free public
transport for school students for 2026 and $4 million for the $300KidSport vouchers, which we are now extending to girl guides
and scouts. We have $3 million for our Access All Areas passes for kids, and $28
million to expand the breakfast program across 670 schools five days a week.
The list goes on, but I will not go on too much longer about the cost of living
because members can see that there are extensive programs right across the
budget in relation to cost-of-living increases.The rise in power
and water bills is below inflation—the same as it has been over the
last six years. That is a 0.8% decline in household fees and charges, and we
will administer the $150 power credit on behalf of the federal government.We have to look to
the record of those opposite to work out how truly bad it can get when it comes
to fees and charges.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Member for Cottesloe, you asked the
question. The Premier is responding. Carry on, Premier.Mr Roger Cook:Under the Liberals and Nationals, Western
Australia lost its Aaa credit rating, and it did so at a time when power prices
went up by 90%, water bills went up by 67% and car registrations went up by
$183 year after year after year. We also know that the Liberals and Nationals
destroyed the state's finances. We have managed to keep household utility cost
increases to a minimum and below inflation. We continue to do that while
keeping the state's finances strong. On both counts, the other side was a complete
and miserable failure.
Cost-of-living relief—Election commitments
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