Cook Labor Government delivering on what matters to regional WA

• 2024-25 State Budget delivers cost of living relief for regional Western Australians
• 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 regional Western Australians, with the 2024-25 State Budget delivering significant cost of living relief while investing in health facilities and services, housing, quality jobs and targeted training programs.

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.

Regional Western Australians 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 - of which $25.8 million will be spent on delivering the initiative regionally - providing either $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 for 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;
• $34.8 million to unlock more development-ready land for housing in regional centres including Broome, Karratha and Kalgoorlie; and
• $22 million to expand existing homelessness services, including programs which operate in Geraldton, Albany and Kalgoorlie.

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. Investments include:

• Over $2.6 billion per annum for regional healthcare;
• $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;
• Additional funding to finalise contract negotiations with the Royal Flying Doctor Service;
• $8.6 million to expand child development services in the regions;
• $15 million to deliver an MRI unit at Hedland Health Campus;
• $2.3 million for a four-chair dialysis unit at Karratha Health Campus;
• $173.2 million in extra investment toward the redevelopment of Bunbury Hospital over the next four years;
• $43.4 million in extra investment for the Geraldton Health Campus Redevelopment;
• $7.7 million to refurbish outdated staff accommodation; and
• $2.3 million to develop an extension plan for the Ronald McDonald House facility, supporting regional families travelling to Perth for medical treatment.

The Cook Government is focused on diversifying regional economies, creating quality local jobs and positioning WA as a clean energy powerhouse. This includes investments of:

• $1.1 billion in training programs across regional WA, to prepare Western Australians for the jobs of the future;
• $500 million for a new Strategic Industries Fund to transform WA's industrial areas into major job-creating hubs right across regional WA;
• $324 million investment into the South West Interconnected System, to support industry growth and unlock job-creating renewable energy projects;
• $148 million to support the development of transmission network infrastructure in the North West Interconnected System;
• $18 million for 50 standalone power systems to be installed in the Mid West and Esperance;
• $39.1 million towards the Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme upgrades, to support industrial growth in the Pilbara;
• $15 million for a business case to expand water supply to the Goldfields, to facilitate industrial investment;
• $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 to support WA's agricultural industries;
• royalty relief for the nickel industry, to support producers and jobs; 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. Key regional transport initiatives include:

• $169 million in additional funding for regional roads, as part of a $4.5 billion investment in regional roads over the next four years; and
• $247.8 million to fund works at regional ports.

A total of $29.3 million will also be provided to upgrade regional and remote airstrips across the State, keeping communities connected.

The Cook 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, with regional initiatives including:

• $67.2 million to continue implementation of the 2024-2033 Forest Management Plan, creating new jobs following the ending of commercial logging of native forests;
• $67.2 million to expand WA's conservation estate as part of the Plan for Our Parks, with significant investment to support the South Coast Marine Park and Fortescue Marsh Nature Reserve; and
• $97.1 million to upgrade vital regional water infrastructure across the State, boosting WA's water security for the future.

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, allowing WA Police to rapidly deploy officers to the regional areas where they are needed most;
• $30.2 million to enhance the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' bushfire mitigation activities across the State;
• $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 regions;
• $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 delivery of 11 priority projects under the 10-year Early Years Partnership initiative, aimed at supporting and improving early childhood outcomes, including $10.6 million for regional initiatives;
• $5.8 million to continue the Aboriginal Representative Organisation and Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making programs; and
• $3.1 million for the Aboriginal Community Connectors Program to provide place-based support to street-present community members.

The Cook Government is committed to encouraging Western Australians to explore the State's great outdoors, while supporting regional local businesses. Initiatives in the State Budget's Outdoor and Adventure Tourism package include:

• $69.6 million towards boating and maritime facilities across regional WA, including extending the Jurien Bay Boat Harbour Breakwater;
• $36 million for trails and other recreational facilities in the regions, including $17.5 million to complete the iconic Wadandi Track in the South West;
• $16.2 million for tourism upgrades at Kalbarri and the Abrolhos Islands; and
• $14.9 million to deliver a range of new and upgraded campgrounds.

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 regional Western Australians.

"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."