Politics
Western Australia
What West Australians think of the state budget
Amid all the chest-beating spin from the government, each line item in the budget will have a real impact on West Australians. So we asked them what they thought.
- by Hamish Hastie, Sarah Brookes, Holly Thompson, Jesinta Burton and Peter Milne
Latest
Opinion
WA budget
WA is finding it hard to admit it has a spending problem
Most of WA’s increased spend is demand-driven thanks to roaring population growth placing pressure on housing, education and health budgets.
- by Hamish Hastie
Metronet costs balloon by $700 million as state pays to get people moving
Stage one of the Labor government’s flagship Metronet project climbed $2 billion in 2023 alone, taking the total cost of the network to around $11.5 billion.
- by Holly Thompson
Your five-minute guide to WA’s budget winners and losers
Treasurer Rita Saffioti has used her first-ever budget to address the key issues facing the state. So, how did you fare?
- by Jesinta Burton
Updated
WA budget
WA budget gets more from ore as Saffioti promises to diversify
“A big challenge for us is to make sure we continue to diversify our economy to ensure we have a strong revenue base in the future,” Treasurer Rita Saffioti said.
- by Peter Milne
Analysis
WA budget
$3.4 billion drip feed means no surprises expected in Saffioti’s first budget
This budget will be Treasurer Rita Saffioti’s first after she was elevated to the position in June last year following the retirement of former treasurer and premier Mark McGowan.
- by Hamish Hastie
The Perth suburbs with the most electric vehicles … will soon face competition
WAtoday can reveal the areas with the biggest EV purchasing power, even as the state government moves to level the playing field.
- by Michael Genovese
Why didn’t WA’s program to counter violent extremism work?
A shocking incident in Perth – which WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said had “all the hallmarks” of a terrorist attack – has highlighted the difficulty of reversing radical ideologies.
- by Hamish Hastie
Roger Cook faces defamation threat from teen climate protesters
A concerns notice – the first step in a defamation action – regarding Cook’s comments was sent to his office on Wednesday morning.
- by Hamish Hastie
Exclusive
Violence
WA police union calls for sweeping anti-knife laws
The premier has given the strongest indication yet that he will commit to laws allowing police to use metal-detecting wands in a wide range of public places.
- by Michael Genovese
Thousands march in Perth to combat domestic violence as another WA woman dies
Premier Roger Cook couldn’t attend Sunday’s Perth rally against domestic violence but reiterated his government’s $96.4m commitment, while condemning the murder of Erica Hay on Thursday.
- by Alex Condon