❓ The Premier outlines the government's fiscal management, highlighting cost-of-living relief measures and investments in renewable energy, while criticising the opposition's stance. Mentions power credits, student assistance, and renewable energy initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 321Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE ECONOMY — MANAGEMENT
321. Mr S.A. MILLMAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook Labor
government's responsible management of Western Australia's
economy and state finances.
(1) Can the
Premier outline to the house how this government's sensible fiscal
management is delivering positive outcomes for Western Australians?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house whether he is aware of any policies that will have an
effect on people in Western Australia?
321. Mr S.A. MILLMAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook Labor
government's responsible management of Western Australia's
economy and state finances.
(1) Can the
Premier outline to the house how this government's sensible fiscal
management is delivering positive outcomes for Western Australians?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house whether he is aware of any policies that will have an
effect on people in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. May I just, on a personal
note, also acknowledge Sheila McHale in the Speaker's gallery today.
Let the record show that Sheila McHale's campaign was one of the very
few campaigns I have managed that was successful! I am delighted that I was in
that case because she made an extraordinary contribution to both this place and
to the government. It is wonderful to see not only a great former colleague,
but a great mate in the gallery today.
(1)–(2)
There is no doubt that recent years have been some of the hardest in living
memory. Across the globe, countries are grappling with inflation in different
ways. It has been tough on seniors, working families and young people trying to make their way in the world. In Western Australia,
thanks to responsible financial management over the longer term, my
government has been able to provide responsible relief. Our support has been
widespread. It applies to all households, small businesses, seniors, TAFE
students and renters who are falling behind. I am pleased to say that last
night's federal budget confirms that we are in partnership with the
Albanese Labor government when it comes to easing the cost-of-living pressures
for Western Australians. Last night, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed
all households will receive a $300 power credit from July. At the same time, he
confirmed small businesses would receive $325. The result is a double dose of
power bill support for Western Australians. It means every Western Australian
household will get a minimum of $700 credited towards their power bills. That
is something only the former Leader of the Liberal Party in this place opposes.
It will be at least $400 from the state government and an additional $300 from
the federal Labor government. As we know, these extra cost-of-living
initiatives are being delivered by WA Labor. We have delivered WA student
assistance payments to families—350 000 WA students—and over
$50 million has already been put back into the pockets of Western Australians
to help them with their cost of living. That is $250 for each secondary student
and $150 for each primary or kindergarten
student. At the same time, school students can now get the bus or train
to school for free. There is also our extension of free TAFE courses; milestone
payments for apprentices; and a boost to
seniors' benefits. All this helps with the challenges being felt across
the board right now.
Although we are happy with the state–federal
partnership on the cost of living, we also welcome the federal government
sharing our vision for Western Australia to become a renewable energy
powerhouse. The budget invests in WA's
economic future. It is a great budget for WA and it is a great budget for WA industry. I am talking about the production tax
credit for the processing and refinery of up to 31 c ritical minerals. It
is a $7 billion allocation over 10 years. That comes on top of the WA Labor government's
$500 million investment in bringing major renewable energy projects to our
strategic industrial areas. Importantly, it will open up a new frontier for the
WA economy. It will take our economy forward to the next level, where WA will
be indispensable to the world's transition to clean energy; where
well-paid local jobs and industries are grown right here in WA; and where we
can proudly do our bit for the planet.
Sadly, not everyone is on board when
it comes to our immense investment in the future prosperity of our nation and our state. Those opposite offer no hope
for the short-term challenges that households face. They have no plans
for the state's long-term prosperity. They oppose the WA student
assistance payment, they oppose power
credits, and—surprise, surprise—they oppose initiatives to
bring more rentals to the market . But shockingly, the Liberals are now
opposing major pathways for WA's ongoing success. Its opposition to the
production tax credit represents a threat to WA's future. We have seen
this from Peter Dutton, in large font. One: he would not back WA on the GST;
and now, two: he will not back WA on the production tax credits. Peter Dutton and the Liberals are the biggest threat to Western
Australia's prosperity in this country today. Bizarrely, the
Liberal Party has come out against the idea of us continuing to grow Western Australian
jobs, by opposing the production tax credit. It will oppose adding value to our
mineral exports to produce greater prosperity for Western Australia. It will
oppose the very thing that will make sure that Western Australia and Australia
become a renewable energy powerhouse for the future. Peter Dutton and his
Liberals represent the single biggest threat to Western Australia today.
Those opposite will oppose the
cost-of-living measures. Peter Dutton opposed the GST deal, and now he opposes
the production tax credit. The Liberals and the Nationals are the biggest
threat to this state's prosperity, and it is time they were called out.
note, also acknowledge Sheila McHale in the Speaker's gallery today.
Let the record show that Sheila McHale's campaign was one of the very
few campaigns I have managed that was successful! I am delighted that I was in
that case because she made an extraordinary contribution to both this place and
to the government. It is wonderful to see not only a great former colleague,
but a great mate in the gallery today.
(1)–(2)
There is no doubt that recent years have been some of the hardest in living
memory. Across the globe, countries are grappling with inflation in different
ways. It has been tough on seniors, working families and young people trying to make their way in the world. In Western Australia,
thanks to responsible financial management over the longer term, my
government has been able to provide responsible relief. Our support has been
widespread. It applies to all households, small businesses, seniors, TAFE
students and renters who are falling behind. I am pleased to say that last
night's federal budget confirms that we are in partnership with the
Albanese Labor government when it comes to easing the cost-of-living pressures
for Western Australians. Last night, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed
all households will receive a $300 power credit from July. At the same time, he
confirmed small businesses would receive $325. The result is a double dose of
power bill support for Western Australians. It means every Western Australian
household will get a minimum of $700 credited towards their power bills. That
is something only the former Leader of the Liberal Party in this place opposes.
It will be at least $400 from the state government and an additional $300 from
the federal Labor government. As we know, these extra cost-of-living
initiatives are being delivered by WA Labor. We have delivered WA student
assistance payments to families—350 000 WA students—and over
$50 million has already been put back into the pockets of Western Australians
to help them with their cost of living. That is $250 for each secondary student
and $150 for each primary or kindergarten
student. At the same time, school students can now get the bus or train
to school for free. There is also our extension of free TAFE courses; milestone
payments for apprentices; and a boost to
seniors' benefits. All this helps with the challenges being felt across
the board right now.
Although we are happy with the state–federal
partnership on the cost of living, we also welcome the federal government
sharing our vision for Western Australia to become a renewable energy
powerhouse. The budget invests in WA's
economic future. It is a great budget for WA and it is a great budget for WA industry. I am talking about the production tax
credit for the processing and refinery of up to 31 c ritical minerals. It
is a $7 billion allocation over 10 years. That comes on top of the WA Labor government's
$500 million investment in bringing major renewable energy projects to our
strategic industrial areas. Importantly, it will open up a new frontier for the
WA economy. It will take our economy forward to the next level, where WA will
be indispensable to the world's transition to clean energy; where
well-paid local jobs and industries are grown right here in WA; and where we
can proudly do our bit for the planet.
Sadly, not everyone is on board when
it comes to our immense investment in the future prosperity of our nation and our state. Those opposite offer no hope
for the short-term challenges that households face. They have no plans
for the state's long-term prosperity. They oppose the WA student
assistance payment, they oppose power
credits, and—surprise, surprise—they oppose initiatives to
bring more rentals to the market . But shockingly, the Liberals are now
opposing major pathways for WA's ongoing success. Its opposition to the
production tax credit represents a threat to WA's future. We have seen
this from Peter Dutton, in large font. One: he would not back WA on the GST;
and now, two: he will not back WA on the production tax credits. Peter Dutton and the Liberals are the biggest threat to Western
Australia's prosperity in this country today. Bizarrely, the
Liberal Party has come out against the idea of us continuing to grow Western Australian
jobs, by opposing the production tax credit. It will oppose adding value to our
mineral exports to produce greater prosperity for Western Australia. It will
oppose the very thing that will make sure that Western Australia and Australia
become a renewable energy powerhouse for the future. Peter Dutton and his
Liberals represent the single biggest threat to Western Australia today.
Those opposite will oppose the
cost-of-living measures. Peter Dutton opposed the GST deal, and now he opposes
the production tax credit. The Liberals and the Nationals are the biggest
threat to this state's prosperity, and it is time they were called out.
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