❓ The Premier outlines cost-of-living relief measures, including electricity credits and subsidised Royal Show tickets, criticising the opposition's lack of support. The response highlights government initiatives aimed at easing financial pressures on WA families.
AnsweredQoN 473Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COST OF LIVING — RELIEF
473. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
priority to ease cost-of-living pressures for Western Australian families.
(1) Can the
Premier outline to the house how this government is providing support to
households facing cost pressures this winter?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how these policies are helping to ensure that Western Australian
kids can enjoy and participate in the things that matter?
473. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
priority to ease cost-of-living pressures for Western Australian families.
(1) Can the
Premier outline to the house how this government is providing support to
households facing cost pressures this winter?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how these policies are helping to ensure that Western Australian
kids can enjoy and participate in the things that matter?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(2) I
join the Minister for Education in expressing my extraordinary dismay at the
lack of commitment or support from those opposite in relation to measures
around the cost of living. I cannot believe that we are in a situation in which
opposition members, as members of their local communities, are not focused on
the issues that matter to Western Australians. This is about promoting programs
that assist people with the cost of living. We as a government have been, and
are, focused on making sure that we provide relief to Western Australians who,
because of interest rates or other issues beyond their control, are struggling
with the cost of living today. We understand that, and that is why we are
working hard.
It was with absolute pleasure that I joined
Rebecca and Murray Dunstan and their son Zeb as part of an announcement to roll
out this $700 electricity credit. That is made possible by the great work
between the Cook Labor government and the
Albanese Labor government, because only Labor governments understand what ordinary people in the community need to help them with the cost of
living. The first $350 instalment began to appear on bills from 20 July. I know
that that has been met with much relief from families—including the
Dunstans—who are getting through this cold, wet winter. Through our
partnership with the commonwealth
government, we are delivering a record $700 in electricity credits to every WA
household , plus a $725 electricity credit for small businesses over two
instalments.
By now, nearly every Western Australian
household would have had $350 slashed off their power bill and eligible small businesses would have received
their first $362.50 instalment. Talking to Bec and Murray , I know this credit will make a real difference for
Western Australians. For them it means freeing up money for junior
sport, school holiday activities and perhaps even that much sought after Harley
Reid jersey. Who wrote these notes? Apologies to the Deputy Premier and all the
Dockers supporters in the chamber!
The SPEAKER : I did not see
the issue!
Mr R.H. COOK : At the end of the day, no parent wants
their kids to miss out. One of the greatest rites of passage in this state is
attending the Perth Royal Show. The magic of the show should be accessible to
everyone, but we know that the costs can add up, and that is why we have
invested $5.2 million to make a great day out at the show cheaper for WA
families. This year, tickets for kids will be free. Kids will get into the
Royal Show for free. On top of that, adult and concession tickets will be half
price. That means that an adult ticket will go from $44 to $22 and a kid's
ticket from $22 to free. The funding will also support the nightly fireworks
and drone show, which is set to be the biggest in the show's history,
with fireworks launched from a hundred different spots around the main arena.
This is the important thing about the show. We all remember how much the rides,
showbags and everything cost at the show, but there are literally hundreds of
opportunities to enjoy the Royal Show free of charge, such as the exhibits and
the great displays—my mum always took me to the log chopping—and,
of course, the fireworks display in the
evening is absolutely magical, so we want people to be able to enjoy that. I am
sure that every member of Parliament will join me in being pleased that
I can confirm that the Bertie Beetle bag will be back this year. We know that
the cost of living is impacting WA families, and my government is 100 per cent
focused on making sure that we are doing everything we can to assist them with
that and help reduce the pressure on family budgets. From the WA student assistance payment to electricity
credits and our support to make the show cheaper, we are supporting Western
Australian families and doing what is right for WA.
member for the question.
(1)–(2) I
join the Minister for Education in expressing my extraordinary dismay at the
lack of commitment or support from those opposite in relation to measures
around the cost of living. I cannot believe that we are in a situation in which
opposition members, as members of their local communities, are not focused on
the issues that matter to Western Australians. This is about promoting programs
that assist people with the cost of living. We as a government have been, and
are, focused on making sure that we provide relief to Western Australians who,
because of interest rates or other issues beyond their control, are struggling
with the cost of living today. We understand that, and that is why we are
working hard.
It was with absolute pleasure that I joined
Rebecca and Murray Dunstan and their son Zeb as part of an announcement to roll
out this $700 electricity credit. That is made possible by the great work
between the Cook Labor government and the
Albanese Labor government, because only Labor governments understand what ordinary people in the community need to help them with the cost of
living. The first $350 instalment began to appear on bills from 20 July. I know
that that has been met with much relief from families—including the
Dunstans—who are getting through this cold, wet winter. Through our
partnership with the commonwealth
government, we are delivering a record $700 in electricity credits to every WA
household , plus a $725 electricity credit for small businesses over two
instalments.
By now, nearly every Western Australian
household would have had $350 slashed off their power bill and eligible small businesses would have received
their first $362.50 instalment. Talking to Bec and Murray , I know this credit will make a real difference for
Western Australians. For them it means freeing up money for junior
sport, school holiday activities and perhaps even that much sought after Harley
Reid jersey. Who wrote these notes? Apologies to the Deputy Premier and all the
Dockers supporters in the chamber!
The SPEAKER : I did not see
the issue!
Mr R.H. COOK : At the end of the day, no parent wants
their kids to miss out. One of the greatest rites of passage in this state is
attending the Perth Royal Show. The magic of the show should be accessible to
everyone, but we know that the costs can add up, and that is why we have
invested $5.2 million to make a great day out at the show cheaper for WA
families. This year, tickets for kids will be free. Kids will get into the
Royal Show for free. On top of that, adult and concession tickets will be half
price. That means that an adult ticket will go from $44 to $22 and a kid's
ticket from $22 to free. The funding will also support the nightly fireworks
and drone show, which is set to be the biggest in the show's history,
with fireworks launched from a hundred different spots around the main arena.
This is the important thing about the show. We all remember how much the rides,
showbags and everything cost at the show, but there are literally hundreds of
opportunities to enjoy the Royal Show free of charge, such as the exhibits and
the great displays—my mum always took me to the log chopping—and,
of course, the fireworks display in the
evening is absolutely magical, so we want people to be able to enjoy that. I am
sure that every member of Parliament will join me in being pleased that
I can confirm that the Bertie Beetle bag will be back this year. We know that
the cost of living is impacting WA families, and my government is 100 per cent
focused on making sure that we are doing everything we can to assist them with
that and help reduce the pressure on family budgets. From the WA student assistance payment to electricity
credits and our support to make the show cheaper, we are supporting Western
Australian families and doing what is right for WA.
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