Western Australia

Key points

To build a stronger future for Western Australia, our Plan will deliver a strong and growing economy.

This means more jobs, tax relief for workers and small businesses, investment in transport and water infrastructure, and support for industries that will be critical to WA’s future.

Industries like resources, defence, renewable energy, manufacturing and agriculture.

A strong economy will enable us to continue record investments in WA’s health and essential services, including a new landmark cancer facility in Perth. It allows us to invest in stronger defence, security and borders, including more naval shipbuilding at Henderson.

Under the Morrison Government, Australia’s economic recovery is leading the world on almost every measure – economic growth, jobs growth and debt levels. Our economic plan has already helped the WA economy overcome the biggest economic shock since the Great Depression, with unemployment in the state falling to 3.4 per cent, the lowest in over 13 years.

Despite these uncertain global times, Australia is one of a small number of countries to maintain a AAA credit rating from all three major ratings agencies. And the nation is on the path to the lowest unemployment rate in around 50 years.

We’ve delivered lower taxes to more than 365,000 WA small businesses and more than 1.2 million individuals, invested more than $20.2 billion in infrastructure projects such as METRONET, NorthLink WA and the Albany Ring Road, and provided record levels of funding for WA hospitals and schools. But there is much more to be done.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to build a stronger WA economy by:

• Providing lower taxes and cost of living relief for WA families and retirees, with over one million people in WA to receive tax relief of up to $1,500 this year, a $250 cost of living payment for those most in need, and a 22.1 cents per litre cut in fuel costs for six months.
• Delivering lower taxes to boost business investment for more than 365,000 WA businesses.
• Investing a further $2.1 billion in WA’s road and rail infrastructure pipeline – supporting an additional 5,500 jobs and bringing total funding to over $20.2 billion for 152 major projects.
• Growing WA’s resources sector and positioning it as a world leader in the exploration, extraction, production and processing of critical minerals and rare earths.
• Investing $1.5 billion to support economic development and new industries in the Pilbara.
• Guaranteeing our fairer GST deal for WA, which is ensuring $5.9 billion flows to WA this year, rather than $1.3 billion (or 16 cents per GST dollar) it would have received without our reforms.
• Helping more West Australians buy their first home by allowing them to use up to 40 per cent of their superannuation to get into the property market, and removing barriers for Australians downsizing to residences that better suit their needs and lifestyle, and helping to free up larger homes for younger families.
• Investing in new opportunities in the resources sector, with $140 million for two WA Hydrogen Hubs (in the Pilbara and Kwinana) and $60 million in two Carbon Capture and Storage Hubs.
• Growing WA’s sovereign manufacturing, science and technology capability, including $50-million to establish the Resources Technology for Critical Minerals Trailblazer at Curtin University.
• Backing the growth of WA’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

A strong economy will allow us to keep guaranteeing essential services:

• $375 million to support a WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
• Record funding for the WA health system including hospitals, cheaper medicines through the PBS, Medicare, mental health support, and a $19.1 billion reform to aged care.
• Record funding for WA schools and expanding apprenticeship wage subsidies.

A strong economy will allow us to keep guaranteeing essential services:

• Undertaking up to $30 billion of shipbuilding projects in WA over the next two decades, including a further $124 million for two new evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats to be built at Henderson, securing Henderson’s future as a world-class shipbuilding precinct.
• Investing up to $4.3 billion to deliver a large vessel dry berth at Henderson to further boost the shipbuilding industry and support thousands of jobs.
• Record funding for defence – with funding restored above 2 per cent of GDP, and strong border policies to disrupt people-smuggling and prevent illegal maritime arrivals.
• Keeping West Australians safe in their homes and local communities, including online safety reforms, and funding for local crime prevention and domestic violence prevention.

When Federal Labor was last in government, WA’s industries and workers were unfairly targeted by higher taxes, including the mining tax and the carbon tax.

Labor leader Albanese was a supporter of these taxes and held them up as “outstanding” achievements. He has argued for higher taxes on retirees, housing, families and inheritances.

Albanese has never held a financial portfolio, he’s never held a national security portfolio and he’s never delivered a budget. He would be too weak to stand up to the Greens, who want to shut down WA’s gas sector, and too weak to stand up to the unions, caving to their demands to abolish the watchdog charged with preventing reckless union behaviour on major projects.

Labor’s economic and budget mismanagement means the essential services WA relies on, such as health, education and aged care, would be put at risk.

In uncertain times, WA can’t risk federal Labor under Albanese.

Our Plan

1. Lower taxes and cost-of-living relief for WA families and retirees

The pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine and extreme weather events are putting upward pressure on the cost of goods in Australia. This is having a direct impact on family budgets.

The Morrison Government is committed to additional tax and cost-of-living relief that will helpWestern Australian families and retirees pay their bills, buy their groceries and fill up their car.

These measures build on our substantial cost-of-living action to date, including tax cuts benefitting more than 1.2 million WA workers and child care reforms that have reduced average hourly out-of-pocket costs in WA by 12 per cent since 2018.

A re-elected Coalition Government will deliver lower taxes and cost-of-living relief for WA families through:

• Tax relief for low and middle income earners: 1 million WA taxpayers will benefit from tax relief of up to $1,500 this year, with the $1,080 low and middle income tax offset plus a new one-off $420 cost-of-living tax offset.
• Cost-of-living payments: The Morrison Government is delivering a one-off, cost-of-living payment of $250 for Australians most in need. In WA, these payments will go to around:
  • 239,000 pensioners
  • 46,000 Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders
  • 20,000 carers
  • 58,000 disability support recipients
  • 97,000 jobseekers.
• Cheaper fuel: WA motorists will save 22.1 cents a litre every time they fill up their car for the next six months, with the Morrison Government temporarily halving the fuel excise rate. This could mean a saving of $30 a week for a family with two cars, or $700 over six months.
• Childcare: the removal of the annual cap on the Child Care Subsidy and increased subsidies for second and subsequent children will benefit an estimated 22,500 WA families in 2022-23.
• Cheaper medicines: we’ve listed 960 new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since 2019 and more than 2,900 since 2013. We are lowering the threshold for the PBS Safety Net from 1 July 2022, saving 2.4 million Australians $80 a year.

2. Lower taxes for small businesses

The Coalition will grow small businesses and create more jobs in WA with tax relief to support business investment.

More than 365,000 WA small businesses are already benefiting from our existing tax relief measures. These include 90,000 WA small companies employing over half a million people that have received a permanent reduction in the company tax rate from 30 per cent in 2013-14 under Labor, to 25 per cent from 2021-22 under the Morrison Government.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to deliver lower taxes for WA small businesses through:

• Technology Investment Boost: more than 365,000 WA businesses will be encouraged to go digital with access to a new bonus 20 per cent deduction on expenses and depreciating assets such as computers, online sales platforms, accounting software, cyber security and cloud computing. The boost applies from Budget night until 30 June 2023, for expenses up to $100,000 per year.
• Skills and Training Boost: to help with the costs of training and upskilling their employees, at least 61,000 WA businesses will have access to a new 20 per cent bonus deduction for eligible external training courses. The boost applies from Budget night until 30 June 2024, and is uncapped.
• Continuation of the instant asset write off: we will continue the instant asset write off until 30 June 2023, supporting more than 365,000 WA businesses to write off the full value of any eligible asset they purchase.
• Extension of loss carry back: around 90,000 small companies in WA are able to offset losses against previously taxed profits to generate a refund for a further year in 2022-23, supporting cash flow and confidence, more investment in the local economy and jobs.

3. Building better and safer roads and rail

The Morrison Government is continuing to invest in projects that create jobs, drive economic growth, and keep commuters and freight safe and moving.

Over $2.1 billion is committed to Western Australia’s infrastructure pipeline in the 2022-23 Budget.

This brings our Government’s total infrastructure investment in WA since 2013 to more than $20.2 billion across 152 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 50 projects having already been completed.

Coalition-funded transport infrastructure currently under construction in WA will support around 28,500 jobs over the life of these projects, providing certainty and security for businesses and communities across the state.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to make record investments in WA’s infrastructure pipeline, with a further $2.1 billion committed to projects supporting an additional 5,500 jobs, including:

• $441 million for METRONET projects, bringing our total investment to more than $3.7-billion across 16 METRONET projects.
• An additional $400 million for the Outback Way.
• An additional $178 million for the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation Stages 1 and 2.
• $145 million for the Thomas Road - Dual Carriageway - South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway and interchange at Tonkin Highway.
• $140 million for Regional Road Safety Upgrades.
• $50 million for the Tonkin Highway - North Ellenbrook Interchange.
• $48 million for the Moorine Rock to Mt Holland Road upgrades.
• $40 million for the Newman to Katherine Corridor Upgrade - Great Northern Highway Upgrade - Newman to Port Hedland overtaking lanes.
• Additional funding for existing projects, including $200 million for the Tonkin Highway Stage 3 Extension.

4. Growing WA’s resources sector

Australia’s resources sector has helped power Australia’s economy, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, and no-one knows that better than West Australians.

The sector accounts for around 10 per cent of Australia’s GDP and more than 60 per cent of Australia’s exports. It directly employs nearly 280,000 people and indirectly supports the jobs of some 1.1 million Australians, as well as many communities and businesses across Western Australia.

The Morrison Government has the right policy settings for the resources sector to invest and expand jobs - through stable tax settings, reduced red tape and targeted support into skills and apprenticeships, research and development, critical minerals and resource processing and manufacturing.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to back the growth of WA’s resources sector through:

• Continuing to support exploration to build the pipeline of future resources projects, including continuing to deliver $100 million for the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive, which has helped 85 mining exploration companies raise $342 million.
• Continuing to streamline environmental and planning approvals processes to reduce green tape while maintaining high environmental standards, including continuing to invest in improving environmental assessment processing times.
• Positioning WA as a world leader in the exploration, extraction, production and processing of critical minerals and rare earths through our $2 billion Critical Minerals Facility, a $400 million Critical Minerals Accelerator Initiative and $50 million in research and development support. This support includes a $1.25 billion loan to Iluka Resources to develop an integrated rare earths refinery at Eneabba. It also includes new investments of $4-million at the Greenbushes lithium plant run by Global Advanced Metals as part of a project to increase Australia’s production of tantalum (a mineral recognised as critical to defence, energy and high-tech industrial and medical sectors), and $3.9 million for Mineral Commodities Ltd to accelerate the commercialisation of battery-grade graphite.
• Investing $140 million in two new clean Hydrogen Hubs in WA – $70 million in the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub and $70 million in the H2Kwinana Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hub – to accelerate growth of clean hydrogen and create thousands of jobs supporting this emerging market. We are also providing Hydrogen design and development funding of $3-million each towards the Santos hydrogen project in Carnarvon and the Engie hydrogen project in the Pilbara.
• Investing $60 million in two Carbon Capture and Storage Hubs in WA to assist the resources industry in its efforts to reduce emissions – $40 million towards pre-Final Investment Decision (FID) activities as part of Woodside Energy’s Burrup Hub, which would drive $800 million of investment and reduce emissions by 5 million tonnes per year from 2028, and $20 million for Mitsui’s mid-west Hub, which would drive more than $200-million of investment and reduce emissions by 2.4-million tonnes per year from 2025 (if the projects achieve FID).
• Making Australia a more attractive destination for resource investment and creating more high-wage jobs by introducing legislation to increase the maximum duration of greenfields agreements from four to six years.
• Maintaining a business environment that supports mining investment and jobs in new resources and energy projects through stable tax settings - including guaranteeing no mining tax, no carbon tax and no adverse change in fuel tax credit arrangements.

5. Diversifying the Pilbara

The Pilbara will be expanded into a next generation export hub under the Coalition’s Energy Security and Regional Development Plan. The plan is further unlocking the potential of our regions and supporting industries that will make Australia wealthier and stronger.

The Pilbara is the nation’s mining powerhouse, with iron ore and LNG industries generating over $70 billion for the economy. The region has significant potential to diversify and grow, building on its skilled workforce, existing industrial base, bulk export infrastructure, energy resources, secure water, reliable power and a natural deep anchorage harbour at Port Hedland.

A re-elected Coalition Government will invest $1.5 billion in infrastructure that supports the growth of new low emissions industries and opens the north-west to future economic development through:

• $400 million to completely seal the Tanami Road to the WA border.
• $285 million to deliver infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Dampier, building its capacity to support next generation export industries.
• $280 million to construct additional infrastructure at Lumsden Point to better facilitate imports.
• $200 million to increase onshore processing and value-adding of iron ore exports – supporting low emissions steel production into markets such as Japan and Korea.
• $200 million for new low emissions manufacturing facilities to enhance Australia’s supply chain security.
• $100 million to de-risk private sector investment in firm energy generation and grid infrastructure.

6. Guaranteeing our fairer GST deal for WA

In 2018, the Coalition made changes to GST sharing arrangements because the system was not fair on WA.

Without our reforms, WA’s GST relativity in 2022-23 would have fallen to 16 cents in the GST dollar, the lowest level on record. Without our reforms, WA would have received just $1.3-billion in 2022-23. Instead, it is receiving an estimated $5.9 billion.

Under the Coalition the amount of GST received by WA has increased from $3.4 billion in 2013-14 to $5.9 billion in 2022-23.

Under our Government, WA is keeping more of what it earns – with this additional funding able to be spent on improving state services including hospitals, nurses, schools, teachers, roads and police.

A re-elected Coalition Government will guarantee the future of our fairer GST deal for WA, which establishes a minimum floor to ensure WA receives at least 70 cents in the GST dollar, increasing to 75 cents from 2024-25.

Under Labor, WA’s GST relativity declined from 95 cents in the GST dollar in 2007-08 to 45-cents in the GST dollar in 2013-14. The Coalition put a stop to this decline.

7. Growing WA’s defence industries

WA is a major part of the Coalition’s commitment to grow sovereign defence capabilities and turbocharge our national naval shipbuilding. In doing so, we’re keeping Australians safe and our borders secure.

Our multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment will transform the Henderson maritime precinct into a world-class shipbuilding powerhouse. The Henderson Maritime Precinct is one of two principal shipyards that the Coalition's Naval Shipbuilding Plan is centred on.

Already underway at Henderson are projects such as the build of ten Arafura class offshore patrol vessels, six evolved Cape class patrol vessels, 21 Guardian class patrol boats, ongoing upgrades and sustainment for our eight ANZAC Class frigates and mid- and intermediate- cycle maintenance for our six Collins class submarines.

We’re committed to further naval shipbuilding projects in the state, with up to $30-billion of shipbuilding projects planned over the next two decades at Henderson.

A re-elected Coalition Government will grow WA’s defence industries through:

• Investing up to $4.3 billion to deliver WA’s first large-vessel dry berth and support a world-class industrial precinct at the Henderson shipyard. The project is likely to create at least 500 direct construction jobs at its peak and thousands more through the supply chain. Henderson is expected to support at least 2,000 direct shipbuilding jobs once the dry berth is complete. Government-owned Australian Naval Infrastructure will oversee the design and build of this nation-building infrastructure, with work to start in 2023 and initial operations to begin in 2028.
• Investing a further $124 million in continuous naval shipbuilding at Henderson shipyard, with the build of two more evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats from Austal. The project will see at least 68 per cent of the contract value go to Australian industry. The two additional vessels are scheduled to be delivered by late 2023 and brings the total number to eight that will be constructed at Austal’s shipyard in Henderson.

8. Supporting more West Australians into home ownership

The great Australian dream has always been to own your own home. The Morrison Government is committed to this goal with a range of support to make it easier to purchase a home of your own.

Over the last three years, the Morrison Government’s housing policies have supported more than 300,000 Australians into home ownership.

A re-elected Morrison Government will give first home buyers the ability to harness their superannuation to get into the property market. By 1 July 2023, the Super Home Buyer Scheme will allow first home buyers to invest up to $50,000 or up to 40 per cent of their superannuation (whichever is less) to help with the purchase of their first home.

It will mean Australians can buy their first home sooner by slashing the time taken to save a deposit.

Allowing your super to work for you to purchase your first home and then being returned to your super at a later date achieves the best of both worlds - home ownership and retirement security.

A re-elected Coalition Government will also provide up to 1.3 million more empty nesters the ability to access incentives to downsize their house. We will give Australians over the age of 55 the ability to invest up to $300,000, per person, in their superannuation fund outside of the existing contribution caps, from the proceeds of downsizing from their primary residence.

Pensioners who downsize their home will also be given greater flexibility by exempting the proceeds of the sale of the property from the assets test for longer.

By removing barriers for Australians downsizing to residences that better suit their needs and lifestyle, we are helping to free up larger homes for younger families.

We’re also more than doubling the size of our successful Home Guarantee Scheme.

The Home Guarantee Scheme ensures part of an eligible buyer's home loan is guaranteed by the Government, enabling Australians to buy a home sooner with a smaller deposit and without needing to pay lenders mortgage insurance.

Around 4,500 homes have already been bought in WA under the scheme, and over 21,000 WA applications have been made for our HomeBuilder grants to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing one.

• Establish the Super Home Buyer Scheme to allow first home buyers to invest up to 40 per cent of their superannuation, up to a maximum of $50,000 to help with the purchase of their first home.
• Expand support for first home buyers by more than tripling the number of low-deposit guarantees to buy a home (with as little as 5 per cent deposit) to 35,000 guarantees each financial year.
• Expand home ownership opportunities for single parent families by increasing the number of low-deposit guarantees for single parent families to buy a home (with a deposit of as little as 2 per cent) to 5,000 each financial year.
• Establish the Regional Home Guarantee to incentivise the purchase or construction of homes in regional areas by providing 10,000 low-deposit guarantees with a deposit as low as 5 per cent each financial year for those moving to, or within, regional areas, including non-first home buyers and permanent residents commencing 1 October 2022.
• Support greater investment into affordable housing with an additional $2 billion in low-cost financing for social and affordable dwellings. This brings total low-cost financing to $5.5 billion, supporting around 27,500 dwellings.
• Give Australians over the age of 55 the ability to invest up to $300,000, per person, in their superannuation fund outside of the existing contribution caps, from the proceeds of selling their primary residence.
• Double the Assets Test Exemption (from 1 January 2023) to two years when pensioners downsize from their family home, giving them more time to plan for their future.

9. Growing WA’s manufacturing, science and tech industries

Our Modern Manufacturing Strategy is a key part of the Coalition’s plan for a strong economy and stronger future for WA.

Creating sovereign manufacturing capability and securing our supply chains will not only strengthen WA’s economy and create more jobs, but boost national resilience to global supply chain disruptions and security threats.

We are also supporting the growth of WA’s science and technology industries, which are driving additional high-skilled, high-paid jobs in WA.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to back WA’s manufacturing, science and technology industries through:

• Providing new opportunities for WA manufacturers through the more than $1 billion in additional funding we have committed to our Modern Manufacturing Strategy in the 2022-23 Budget.
• Delivering $168.6 million for two major WA battery manufacturing projects under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative – $119.6 million for Pure Battery Technologies’ integrated nickel manganese cobalt battery material refinery hub near Kalgoorlie; and $49 million for Australian Vanadium to process high-grade vanadium from its Meekatharra mine and transport it to its Tenindewa plant to be transformed into energy-storing batteries.
• Investing $50 million to establish the Resources Technology for Critical Minerals Trailblazer at Curtin University.Curtin University will partner with the University of Queensland and James Cook University, as well as 33 industry partners, including 15 small and medium-sized businesses to secure supply chains, open up new careers and increase research activity at regional campuses. Our government investment will leverage industry co-investment of $144 million to create world-leading technology, secure supply chains and open up new careers. The project is expected to create 1,300 new jobs over the next decade through industry employment of researchers and work ready students, an increase in research activity at regional campuses, and new positions created in start-ups launched through the Trailblazer.
• Implementing our Digital Economy Strategy to make Australia a top 10 data and digital economy by 2030, including the Technology Investment Boost for small businesses and our reforms to Employee Share Schemes to support the growth of innovative tech start-ups.

10. Building the Square Kilometre Array

Under the Coalition’s Plan, WA will be at the cutting edge of science and technology as home to the world’s largest radio telescope. Hundreds of new jobs will be created.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an international collaboration between 16 member countries that will help astronomers learn more about our universe.

A re-elected Coalition Government will build the SKA in the Murchison region of WA, with funding of $387 million committed to support construction over 10 years and operations over 50 years. The investment includes $64.4 million to establish a specialist supercomputing centre, to be based in Perth, to process the wealth of data generated by the SKA.

11. Backing WA’s primary industries

Primary industries have always played an important role in WA’s economy, particularly in the regions, from the south-west forests and the Wheatbelt, to Geraldton and the Kimberley. Under the Morrison Government, they will continue to grow and create more jobs.

We have backed the industry’s goal to grow Australia’s agriculture sector to $100 billion by 2030. Only the Coalition has a plan to help the industry get there, and WA’s primary industries will play a major role.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to back WA’s primary industries through:

• Boosting agricultural trade opportunities via our new free trade agreements with the UK and India, and reducing the cost and time of exporting for WA food and fibre industries with a further $187.1 million to lay the foundations for a world-class cross-border trade system.
• Investing $61.6 million over four years to enhance biosecurity capability in northern Australia and protect the region from increasing biosecurity risks, including those with human health implications.
• Securing agricultural supply chains with a $255 million investment through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to support the Perdaman Urea Project, providing farmers’ access to locally manufactured fertiliser.
• Supporting the growth of the forestry sector by establishing an Australia-wide National Institute for Forest Products Innovation, a $112.9 million Wood Processing Innovation Program and a new $86.2 million Plantation Establishment Program.
• Providing $1.9 million to the Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-Operative to diversify its product range and expand Australian lobster exports into new markets.

12. New WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre

A new WA cancer centre providing specialist care and treatment will save and change the lives of thousands of West Australians.

Western Australian families know how hard it can be to organise, pay for and manage cancer treatment. This new centre will ensure they can access the best treatment, care and support in their own home state.

More than 50,000 West Australians are living with cancer. The disease has big impacts on the WA health system, with more than 158,000 cancer-related hospital admissions every year.

A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $375 million to create a landmark cancer facility in Perth that will transform care and support for West Australians, saving thousands of lives .

The planned facility would encompass hundreds of new beds, 10 operating theatres and an intensive care unit, and extensive cancer treatment and research facilities.

The state-of-the-art facility, to be located at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre Campus, will be based on the successful Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and focus on treating all cancer types.

13. Guaranteeing essential health and aged care services

The Coalition is investing in a world-class health system and improving access to affordable, quality health care to help provide the best health outcomes for West Australians.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to make record investments in WA’s health and aged care services, including:

• Record funding for WA hospitals, with funding having already grown from $1.4 billion in 2012-13 under Labor to an estimated $2.9 billion in 2022-23 under our Government, and increasing to an estimated $3.5 billion in 2025-26 – an increase of 150 per cent.
• Investing $66 million to increase access to MRI machines in regional areas through extending Medicare rebates – reducing wait times for health scans and putting downward pressure on out-of-pocket costs.
• Continuing to list cheaper medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, having already listed 960 new medicines on the PBS since 2019 and more than 2,900 since 2013.
• Guaranteeing Medicare, with Medicare funding to WA having already increased from $1.5 billion in 2012-13 under Labor to $2.5 billion in 2020-21 under our Government; WA GP bulk billing rates at a record high of 86.8 per cent; and the introduction of permanent telehealth services which have already benefited 400,600 West Australians.
• Continuing to rollout our record $2.3 billion investment in mental health care and suicide prevention to achieve a more compassionate and caring system with a greater focus on prevention.
• Continuing to rollout our $17.7 billion investment to deliver once-in-a-generation reforms to aged care, putting senior Australians first, and improving quality, safety and choice.

14. Investing in education, skills and apprenticeships

With unemployment at record lows, we have an unparalleled opportunity to help more people off welfare and into work, and to deliver the skilled workers businesses need to grow the economy and create a stronger future.

The Morrison Government is committing even more funding to equip the WA workforce with the skills and training it needs, from new young workers to mid-career employees seeking out new opportunities. We are investing record funding in WA schools and improving school standards and teacher quality.

A re-elected Coalition Government will back West Australians to get the education and skills they need for the workforce of today and tomorrow through:

• Continuing to provide record funding for WA schools, with funding having already increased from $1.3 billion in 2013 under Labor to $2.6 billion in 2022 under our Government, and increasing further to $3.4 billion in 2029.
• Introducing new wage subsidies for apprenticeships to support WA’s future tradies, plumbers, tilers and chefs. We will provide an additional $2.8 billion to extend the successful Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidies, along with introducing a new streamlined Australian Apprentices Incentives System.
• Helping disadvantaged youth into jobs by establishing ReBoot, a program aimed at building life and employment skills in disadvantaged young Australians. ReBoot will support young Australians aged 15-24 at high risk of becoming long-term unemployed, helping them get back on a pathway to employment by providing tailored early interventions, which may range from hands-on learning and mentoring to work experience and engagement with industry.

15. Keeping West Australians safe

We are living in a time of global uncertainty. The pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine and extreme weather events have caused enormous disruption, and Australia is facing a challenging geostrategic environment.

That is why keeping Australians safe is the highest priority of the Coalition, with record investments in our defence and law enforcement agencies and the strengthening of our borders. We’re also helping to reduce local crime, domestic violence and online abuse.

West Australians can feel confident in the Morrison Government’s strong record on security. Labor, by contrast, has a history of cutting Defence spending.

A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to keep West Australians safe through:

• Providing record funding for Defence, with funding restored to over 2 per cent of GDP, including an investment to boost the Defence workforce by 18,500 personnel by 2040.
• Maintaining our strong border policies that have stopped the boats, stopped the deaths at sea, removed the children from detention and disrupted the people smuggling trade.
• Investing a further $1.3 billion to end violence against women and children, including in prevention, early intervention, response (including increased emergency accommodation) and recovery.
• Continuing to invest in local crime prevention and early intervention activities in WA through the Safer Communities Fund.

Our Record

Since the 2019 election, the Coalition has been working tirelessly to deliver on its commitments and secure a better future for WA. Our economic plan is working.

Under our strong leadership, we have delivered on the promise of building a stronger economy, guaranteeing essential services and keeping West Australians safe – compared to 2019, WA now has more people in work, better roads and community infrastructure, lower taxes, more secure industries, more funding for hospitals and schools, and cheaper medicines.

Strengthening WA’s economy

• WA’s unemployment rate has fallen to 3.4 per cent.
• More than $20.2 billion committed to transport infrastructure since 2013, with 50 of 152 major projects already completed. Major projects include:
  • $3.7 billion for METRONET to support the development of new rail connections, stations, bus interchanges, park and ride facilities and removal of level crossings.
  • $821 for NorthLink WA
  • $604 million for the Tonkin Highway Stage 3 extension, expanding the highway from Thomas Road to the South Western Highway.
  • $304 million for the Karratha to Tom Price Corridor Upgrade, delivering targeted pavement upgrades to improve access for increased heavy vehicle activity to mines currently under development.
  • $207 million for the Armadale Road Bridge over the Kwinana Freeway.
• $1.7 billion in the Perth City Deal to drive economic stimulus, jobs and liveability.
• More than 1.2 million West Australians already receiving lower taxes through our Personal Income Tax Plan, with an average full time income earner (around $90,000) more than $2,500 better off in 2021-22 as a result of our tax cuts.
• Lower taxes for more than 365,000 WA small and family businesses, including more than 90,000 WA small companies employing over half a million people benefiting from the permanent reduction in the corporate tax rate from 30 per cent to 25 per cent.
• Support in training and apprenticeships, with around 13,000 West Australians having enrolled in JobTrainer, over 24,000 supported under the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy, and over 12,000 under the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy.
• Supporting ambitions of home ownership, with over 21,000 WA HomeBuilder applications to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home, and around 4,500 homes bought in WA under the Home Guarantee Scheme.
• Locked in a fairer GST deal which put an end to falls in WA’s GST relativity which occurred under Labor by establishing a floor of 70 cents in the GST dollar for WA.
• Supporting the growth of WA’s primary industries including securing new Free Trade Agreements with the UK, India, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Hong Kong and more, establishing the South West Timber Hub to support the forestry sector and investing around $67 million in WA water infrastructure, including the Southern Forests Irrigation Scheme to underpin expansion of irrigated horticulture in the region.
• Building modern sporting facilities including a $30 million investment in the WACA Ground Improvement Project which is being funded under the Perth City Deal, and $16.25 million to build a State Football Centre as the new home for the World Game in WA, located at Queens Park.
• Backing important local community projects such as the Willetton Basketball Stadium expansion, the Belmont Community Centre and Library, the Lathlain Park redevelopment, a new recreation complex at Halesworth Park in Butler and a range of upgrades to local sports facilities.
• Investing over $173 million in WA regional development through the Building Better Regions Fund with projects including the Geraldton Regional Airport upgrade, Broome Golf Club redevelopment, Toodyay Sport and Recreation Precinct, the Ellen Brook Bridge and the Centre for Innovation in Agriculture in North Dandalup.
• Strengthening manufacturing, with over $220 million allocated for WA projects through the Modern Manufacturing Strategy including:
  • $16.2 million for an Advanced Sovereign Defence Manufacturing and Training Centre of Excellence.
  • $14.8 million for the Lynas Rare Earth Carbonate Refining Circuit.
• Around $1.4 billion in investments through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, including $490 million for BCI Minerals’ Mardie Salt and Potash project, $150-million for Strandline Resources’ Cobum Heavy Minerals Sand project and $90-million for Alinta Energy’s Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid project.
• Improving digital and telecommunications infrastructure in the regions. Investment in over 300 mobile blackspot projects with 238 already completed, major investments in over 30 regional connectivity projects to improve mobile and broadband services, and the NBN now rolled out to over 99 per cent of WA.

Supporting WA through the COVID-19 pandemic

• Direct COVID economic support for WA businesses and workers totalling over $14-billion, with JobKeeper having supported over 97,000 WA businesses and saving more than 350,000 jobs in WA alone.
• Over 97 per cent of West Australians double-vaccinated, and 85.9 per cent (of those eligible) with a booster – Australia is in the top 5 most vaccinated countries in the world.
• Australia has one of the lowest fatality rates from COVID-19 in the world, with death rates in the USA and the UK around 10 times higher.
• Commonwealth COVID health support totalling around $45 billion across Australia.
• Introducing Medicare-subsidised telehealth, which is now permanent – delivering generational change and greater flexibility in primary health care.

Guaranteeing essential services

• Record funding for WA public hospitals, with funding up from $1.4 billion in 2012-13 under Labor to an estimated $2.9 billion in 2022-23 under our Government.
• Improved local health services, including supporting the upgrade of the King Edward Memorial Hospital for a women and newborn health service, investing in the Ellenbrook Mental Health Facility, supporting the implementation of the WA Country Health Service cancer strategy, and contributing to the WA Children’s Hospice project.
• Cheaper medicines, with more than 2,900 new medicine listings on the PBS since we were elected in 2013, including an additional 960 since 2019 such as treatments for cystic fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and bowel cancer; and lowering the threshold for the PBS Safety Net from 1 July 2022, saving 2.4 million Australians $80 a year.
• Record funding for WA schools, up from $1.3 billion in 2013 under Labor to $2.6 billion in 2022 under our Government.
• More affordable child care through our Child Care Subsidy, which provides around 90-per-cent of families with a subsidy of between 50 and 85 per cent, and reforms which have reduced average hourly out-of-pocket child care costs in WA by 12 per cent since 2018. Since March 2022, these families are receiving a higher subsidy of up to 95-per cent for their second and subsequent children aged 5 and under.
• Major improvements to aged care, with a $19.1 billion support package in response to the Royal Commission – the single largest investment in aged care – and over 160,000 additional home care packages funded nationally since 2018-19.
• Ensuring the more than 43,000 NDIS participants in WA receive the essential support they need, with an additional $26.4 billion for the NDIS over four years.

Making WA communities safer

• Standing up for Australia’s interests in our region, including as a founding member of the historic AUKUS alliance and the Quad Leaders’ summit.
• Maintaining strong borders by stopping the boats, stopping the deaths at sea, removing children from detention and disrupting the people-smuggling trade.
• Taking tough action to deport foreign criminals, by cancelling or refusing the visas of over 10,000 criminals across the country, including almost 1,200 in WA.
• Working to end violence against women and their children, including a $44 million boost to domestic violence frontline services in WA, one-off Escaping Violence Payments of up to $5,000 (including up to $1,500 in cash) and more funding for prevention.
• Standing up to social media companies to keep Australians safe online, particularly women and children, by legislating the Online Safety Act and introducing new laws to tackle anonymous trolling and protect online privacy.

Ensuring WA’s environment is protected

• Meeting and beating our emissions targets, having already achieved emissions reductions of 20 per cent on 2005 levels (beating our Kyoto-era targets) while our economy has grown by 45 per cent over the same time period; a projected reduction of 30-35 per cent by 2030; and a detailed plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
• To date, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has invested in more than 40 renewables and low emissions technology projects in WA, including:
  • Up to $103.3 million to fund two 10MW electrolyser projects in WA, including up to $42.5m to Engie’s project at Yara Pilbara Fertiliser’s existing ammonia facility in Karratha and up to $28.7m to ATCO’s project at Warradarge.
  • $13.5 million for Agnew Renewable Energy Microgrid project which aims to be the first Australian mine to be powered by a wind, solar, battery and gas microgrid.
  To date, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation has supported more than 2,300 renewable, energy efficiency and low emissions technology projects in WA, including:
  • $90m for Australia’s first large-scale energy from waste project – a 36 MW plant at Kwinana which is expected to power up to 50,000 homes using household waste.
  • Around $50 million to Pilbara Minerals to support the development of the Pilgangoora Project to produce more lithium, a critical resource for battery and electric vehicles.
• Boosting WA’s recycling capacity, with $35-million for nine Recycling Modernisation Fund projects in WA to support our waste export bans and protect marine life.
• Protecting WA’s threatened species and unique environment through the Environment Restoration Fund, including $2 million to improve the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers, over $2 million to protect WA’s Black Cockatoos and $200,000 to help control cane toads in the Kimberley.
• $2 million from the Communities Environment Program for 139 local projects.

The Risk of Labor

There is a clear choice at this election.

A choice between the Coalition Government that is delivering a strong economy in WA and a Labor Opposition that would weaken it.

A choice between responsible financial management that has delivered the biggest Budget turnaround in 70 years, and a Labor Opposition that can’t manage money.

A choice between an economic plan that will deliver lower taxes and lower unemployment for WA, and a Labor Opposition with a track record of higher unemployment, higher interest rates and higher taxes.

A choice between investing in Australia’s national security, defence and strong borders, and a Labor Opposition that cut Defence spending by $18 billion when last in power and would undermine Australia’s border protection regime.

Labor has no economic plan for Western Australia, or the rest of the country.

Labor leader Albanese has never held a financial portfolio, he’s never held a national security portfolio and he’s never delivered a budget.

Albanese would be too weak to stand up to the Greens, who want to shut down WA’s gas sector.

Albanese would be too weak to stand up to the unions, who have already hijacked his policy agenda with his promise to abolish the watchdog charged with preventing reckless union behaviour on major construction, infrastructure and mining projects.

By contrast, the Coalition strongly supports WA’s resources sector and has a clear plan to see all parts of the sector grow into the future.

We have a strong WA voice at our decision-making table, with seven West Australians in the Ministry including four in the Cabinet.

When federal Labor was last in government, WA’s industries and workers were unfairly targeted by higher taxes, including the mining tax and the carbon tax.

Albanese was a strong supporter of these taxes and has held them up as “outstanding” achievements of the Gillard Government. He has argued for higher taxes on retirees, housing, families and inheritances.

In uncertain times, WA can’t risk an Albanese federal Labor government.

Cost

The Coalition’s Plan for Western Australia includes funding for previously announced election commitments.

Funding for all other policies in the Coalition’s Plan for Western Australia is already provided for within budget estimates.