Cook Government delivering on what matters for the Kimberley

• 2024-25 State Budget delivers cost of living relief for the Kimberley
• Major investments in regional housing, health services and infrastructure
• Jobs and training to support stronger futures and diversify regional economies
• More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions program

The Cook Labor Government is doing what is right for the Kimberley, with the 2024-25 State Budget delivering significant cost of living relief while investing in transport infrastructure, community services and upgrades to outdoor attractions.

The 2024-25 State Budget is focused on Western Australia's regions, with a record $12.8 billion investment in regional infrastructure, and billions more to fund regional service delivery.

More than $4 billion in Royalties for Regions funding will go towards projects which enrich regional communities, ensuring they remain great places to live, work and raise a family.

Western Australians living in the Kimberley will benefit from the Cook Government's massive $762 million investment in cost of living relief measures, including:

• $492.4 million to provide a $400 electricity credit for every Western Australian household and eligible small businesses;
• $103.5 million WA Student Assistance Payment initiative - including a $25.8 million regional allocation - to provide $150 or $250 for every WA school student, easing the pressure of school expenses;
• $20.3 million to increase the value of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card by $100 to $675, reducing transport costs for eligible pensioners in the regions; and
• $64.5 million in additional investment to continue the popular Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme.

This cost of living support to regional families is on top of the Cook Government's $3 billion commitment over the next four years to subsidise the cost of providing water and electricity to regional Western Australians, to keep services affordable for everyone.

The Cook Government is supporting improved and expanded housing options across the State, with a total investment of $1.1 billion in housing and homelessness services, including:

• $400 million for social and affordable housing projects, including in the regions;
• $60 million for a Regional Community Housing Grants Program, to support community housing providers to deliver new dwellings or refurbish existing dwellings;
• $43.8 million in additional investment for Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH), to fund new builds and land acquisitions; and
• $5 million for the Broome North Waranyjarri Estate, delivering sustainable housing in the Kimberley.

Health facilities will be upgraded, and programs to secure staff will be continued, to ensure Western Australians have access to world class healthcare, regardless of where they live. The Cook Government's $3.2 billion investment in health includes:

• More than $2.6 billion per annum in regional healthcare investment;
• $405 million to boost regional health service delivery, including $11.9 million to incentivise nurses and midwives to work in regional WA;
• $32.5 million to continue the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme, supporting those travelling for treatment;
• $14.6 million to continue the Kimberley Ambulance Service;
• Additional funding to finalise contract negotiations with the Royal Flying Doctor Service;
• $8.6 million to expand child development services in the regions;
• $7.7 million to refurbish outdated staff accommodation; and
• $2.5 million to develop an extension plan for the Ronald McDonald House facility, supporting families travelling to Perth for medical treatment.

The Cook Government is focused on diversifying regional economies and creating quality local jobs. This includes investments of:

• $500 million for a new Strategic Industries Fund to transform WA's industrial areas into major job-creating hubs;
• $1.1 billion in training programs across regional WA, to prepare Western Australians for the jobs of the future;
• $8 million to extend the highly successful Fee Free TAFE program through the 2025 training year;
• $16.4 million over the next three years for biosecurity management, as well as $2.6 million for stockyard upgrades at the Kununurra checkpoint; and
• $36.4 million to slash green tape and facilitate approvals for job-creating projects in the regions.

Country roads and regional transport infrastructure will be upgraded, with a $6.4 billion investment which includes $67.5 million for programs to build resilience in the Kimberley's transport routes, comprising:

• $53.6 million towards the replacement of the single-lane Brooking Channel Bridge, which will also enhance the safety of the road and provide ongoing employment for workers in the Fitzroy Valley;
• $8 million for upgrades to airstrips through the Aboriginal Community Airstrip Renewal Program, keeping communities connected; and
• $6 million in new infrastructure at the Port of Broome to build greater import capabilities and boost supply chains.

Additional funding has also been provided for a new jetty crane for Broome.

The Cook Labor Government's commitment to strong environmental protections and WA's water security will be bolstered by a $536 million new investment in the 2024-25 State Budget. Key initiatives include:

• $1.2 million for four full-time staff to repair stream gauging stations damaged by Tropical Cyclone Ellie;
• An additional $73 million towards Plan for Our Parks;
• $4.5 million to buy out existing power stations at Ardyaloon, Bidyadanga, Beagle Bay, Djarindjin-Lombadina and Warmun.
• $1.9 million for the Buccaneer Archipelago Marine Park;
• $1.6 million for the Fitzroy River National Park; and
• $1 million to upgrade the Kurrajong and Walardi campgrounds at Purnululu National Park.

The 2024-25 State Budget will continue to build safe, strong and fair regional communities. Key initiatives include:

• $23.4 million to extend Operation Regional Shield, which allows WA Police to rapidly deploy officers to the regional areas where they are needed most;
• $46.3 million to continue the successful Home Stretch WA program, which provides support for young people leaving out of home care, including in the Kimberley;
• $96.4 million for programs for family and domestic violence across WA, including $26.4 million specifically for regional initiatives;
• $15.6 million to support the 10-year Early Years Partnership initiative which operates in Derby and Bidyadanga and aims to support and improve early childhood outcomes;
• $7.7 million for various metropolitan and regional career fire and rescue service stations, including $4.9 million to provide firefighters with gender-separate facilities and $2.8 million to install post-incident hygiene showers;
• $5.8 million to continue the Aboriginal Representative Organisation and Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making programs;
• $3.1 million for the Aboriginal Community Connectors Program to provide place-based support to street-present community members;
• $1.8 million to continue establishment and operation of the East Kimberley Place-Based Partnership; and
• $1.3 million to continue the Bidyadanga project, a placed-based partnership to enable a 'town like' community in Bidyadanga.

For more information, visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"This Budget delivers on my Government's commitment to always do what's right for Kimberley residents.

"We are focused on providing real cost of living relief, with a major investment to ease the pressure on families in our regions.

"Regional WA props up our nation's economy, and this Budget delivers measures that will drive regional economic growth, diversify regional economies and create jobs for our kids in the regions. 

"There's also major funding for programs which enhance regional centres, ensuring they remain great places to live, work and raise a family for generations to come."

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

"Western Australia's regions are the heart of our State, and the Cook Government is committed to seeing them thrive.

"We want to ensure that every Western Australian has access to great housing, healthcare, and opportunities to grow - regardless of where they live.

"Our responsible financial management means we are in a position to invest in our regions, with billions of dollars flowing into these areas as part of the 2024-25 State Budget.

"From enhanced tourism infrastructure to community safety measures, and programs which diversify regional economies, this Budget delivers on what matters for regional Western Australians."

Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:

"The State Budget reinforces the Cook Labor Government's commitment to helping make a positive different to the lives of people in the Kimberley.

"We're providing significant cost of living relief, investing in affordable housing projects and building a safer strong community by funding important programs for our young people and most vulnerable.

"The Budget continues our Government's record of bolstering the Kimberley's resilience and sees further investment in infrastructure that keeps our communities connected."