❓ Mrs. Clarke asks about the WA government's infrastructure investment impact on local businesses, and if the Treasurer knows anyone who opposes small business support. The Treasurer highlights strong economic indicators, job growth, and government initiatives like 'Made in WA'.
AnsweredQoN 620Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Business confidence
620. Mrs Lorna Clarke to
the Treasurer:
I
refer to recent figures released by the National Australia Bank showing that
business confidence in Western Australia is the strongest it has been since
August 2021.
(1) Can the Treasurer outline how the WA Labor government's record
investment in infrastructure is supporting local jobs and small and medium
businesses across Western Australia?
(2) Is the Treasurer aware of anyone who does not support WA's
small and medium businesses?
620. Mrs Lorna Clarke to
the Treasurer:
I
refer to recent figures released by the National Australia Bank showing that
business confidence in Western Australia is the strongest it has been since
August 2021.
(1) Can the Treasurer outline how the WA Labor government's record
investment in infrastructure is supporting local jobs and small and medium
businesses across Western Australia?
(2) Is the Treasurer aware of anyone who does not support WA's
small and medium businesses?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the question. Over recent years, we have
seen very strong confidence in the business community and across the economy, particularly
in retail trade consumer spending. A big part of that is making sure that we
continue to drive economic growth and jobs growth. I am really pleased to
report again today really good unemployment numbers for Western Australia. Employment
grew by 0.4% this month and our annual employment rate is the lowest of all in
the nation. Since this government was elected, more than 350,000 jobs have been
created in this state. Our annual average employment growth remains the second strongest in the nation.
Government investment plays a key part in not only encouraging consumer
confidence, but also supporting businesses in WA. Our Made in WA plan is again
a key vote of confidence in Western Australian business. We have seen a number
of different measures to support security in the workplace and confidence in
the employment market. For example, the decisions we have made regarding in-house
contracts that used to be temporary in nature have given employees significant
confidence. I refer to jobs in-housed in the Water Corporation, jobs in-housed at
Peel Health Campus and, of course, the regional jobs that were contracted out that
we brought back in-house at Main Roads, which resulted in 550 permanent jobs
across the state. Made in WA has provided the confidence to build railcars in
WA and we are delivering on our plan for electric buses. We have gone out to
market for Metronet on Swan, the ferries on the river, to make sure that they
are made here.
According to NAB, consumer confidence is very positive
and, importantly, the unemployment rate released today again shows that we
are the strongest domestic economy in the nation. We are growing jobs like
never before and we continue to strive to make sure that we create quality
permanent jobs throughout the state.
seen very strong confidence in the business community and across the economy, particularly
in retail trade consumer spending. A big part of that is making sure that we
continue to drive economic growth and jobs growth. I am really pleased to
report again today really good unemployment numbers for Western Australia. Employment
grew by 0.4% this month and our annual employment rate is the lowest of all in
the nation. Since this government was elected, more than 350,000 jobs have been
created in this state. Our annual average employment growth remains the second strongest in the nation.
Government investment plays a key part in not only encouraging consumer
confidence, but also supporting businesses in WA. Our Made in WA plan is again
a key vote of confidence in Western Australian business. We have seen a number
of different measures to support security in the workplace and confidence in
the employment market. For example, the decisions we have made regarding in-house
contracts that used to be temporary in nature have given employees significant
confidence. I refer to jobs in-housed in the Water Corporation, jobs in-housed at
Peel Health Campus and, of course, the regional jobs that were contracted out that
we brought back in-house at Main Roads, which resulted in 550 permanent jobs
across the state. Made in WA has provided the confidence to build railcars in
WA and we are delivering on our plan for electric buses. We have gone out to
market for Metronet on Swan, the ferries on the river, to make sure that they
are made here.
According to NAB, consumer confidence is very positive
and, importantly, the unemployment rate released today again shows that we
are the strongest domestic economy in the nation. We are growing jobs like
never before and we continue to strive to make sure that we create quality
permanent jobs throughout the state.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.