‘Unprecedented’ migration blamed for jump in WA spending

West Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti has blamed unprecedented interstate and overseas migration for a sharp and unexpected increase in government spending as the state’s population closes in on 3 million.

WA recorded a $3.2 billion surplus for 2023-24, and its budget on Thursday revealed that general government spending surged almost 9 per cent in the financial year, far higher than the 2.7 per cent forecast last year.