1 week Ago By Joe Spagnolo
The Cook Government has splashed out more than $1 billion in cost-of-living measures since its May budget in what the Opposition has described as proof it has the wrong priorities. New WA Treasury figures show the cost-of-living cash splash now totals $1.1 billion, with the Government today also announcing another living expenses measure — $2.
4 million to help struggling families send their children to school camp. Welfare agencies, too, want the Premier and the Government to urgently address what they say is a growing crisis among the State’s most vulnerable. The Government will announce today that the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries — which runs camps in Perth and Albany — will be given $1.
5 million to subsidise particularly lower socio-economic schools that may want to use the facilities. The Department of Education will also receive an additional $896,000 for a similar subsidised school camps program. It means that families who might not be able to afford to send their children on camps, might now be able to do so.
Michelle Dillon Libby Mettam “This targeted support will reduce the cost for eligible schools’ camps next year, boosting participation among families who need a bit of extra support,” Premier Roger Cook said. “I still have great memories from my own school camps at Geraldton, Rottnest and Walpole, where I learned a lot about resilience and friendships. “Our school camp discounts will help to ensure more WA kids get the opportunity to attend their school camp and make lasting memories of their own.
” Cost-of-living and housing costs are the two biggest challenges currently facing many West Australians. Since May, the Cook Government has announced a range of cost-of-living initiatives, including a $400 electricity bill credit and other initiatives such as free zoo passes and free Perth Royal show entry for kids and half price for adults, and free public transport for students. The Sunday Times understands that the Cook Government is gearing up for more cost-of-living announcements in coming weeks as WA edges closer to the May 8 State election.
But Anglicare WA boss Mark Glasson says millions more dollars are needed to tackle the crisis, and what has been announced so far simply isn’t enough. The Liberals and Nationals have also started releasing cost-of-living policies in the lead-up to the March poll — collectively talking up stamp duty reprieve for first-homeowners. Liberal leader Libby Mettam has promised to slash power bills by $169 a year by reducing the electricity fixed daily supply charge.
“Under WA Labor and in the middle of the biggest boom in our State’s history, fees and charges have gone up more than $1000 a year,” Ms Mettam said on Saturday. “Zoo passes and show tickets do nothing to meaningfully address the cost-of-living pressures families across WA are feeling. “We need a Government with the right priorities that targets meaningful cost-of-living rebates, to families that really need it.
” Anglicare WA boss Mark Glasson said he hoped the 2025 election would see more election commitments, such as rent relief and “extending utilities relief to all concession card holders”. Mr Glasson said West Australians would be paying close attention to what cost-of-living measures were announced during the campaign. “We want to see a boost to targeted energy, utility and rent relief programs in the short-term and focus on long-term tax reform initiatives that wind back generous tax concessions in areas of investment, housing and superannuation,” he said.
“Expand the eligibility for Financial Wellbeing Collective’s Hardship Utility Grants Scheme to include public housing tenants in water hardship and households with pre-payment electricity meters, and greater eligibility for water and utility concessions. “We’d also call for targeted emergency payments of up to $1000 for low-income households with high energy and water debts, removing all fees for small scheduled utility bill repayments, more support for water efficiency in low-income households, and the continuation of the Energy Ahead program beyond 2025.”.
