- Premier Mark McGowan visits Derby, Kununurra and Broome
- Kimberley community urged to get behind 'Don't Walk Away' campaign against Federal Government cuts to remote housing funding
Premier Mark McGowan has urged the Kimberley community to get behind the State Government's 'Don't Walk Away' campaign, calling on the Federal Government not to abandon remote communities in Western Australia.
The Commonwealth Government has walked away from a 10-year, $1.2 billion funding agreement with the WA Government to support remote communities through the provision of housing.
Instead, it has made an offer to the WA Government to provide around $60 million over the next three years, creating a shortfall of around $400 million across the forward estimates.
There is no further funding committed beyond the three year offer. The WA Government currently provides around $90 million a year to remote communities for essential services such as power, water infrastructure, waste management and maintenance.
The national 'Don't Walk Away' campaign urges all Australians to lobby the Prime Minister to continue to support the 12,000 Western Australians living in remote communities across the State.
For more information, visit http://www.dontwalkaway.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"With the majority of remote communities located in the Kimberley, it's clear that people in the region are extremely concerned that the Federal Government has walked away from its support for housing in remote communities.
"Successive Federal Governments have provided assistance in these areas for around 50 years. Now is not the time to turn their backs on these communities, at a time they are facing significant challenges.
"The Federal Government has made it clear to us, as well as other states, that it no longer considers funding for remote housing to be a Federal responsibility and will exit the space following the final offer of $60 million.
"We urge the Federal Government to continue to support these communities. The offer on the table is simply not enough and leaves the State with a huge funding shortfall.
"The WA Government is ready to work cooperatively with the Federal Government on this issue, but we need to see an ongoing commitment to provide this vital funding.
"We need to rise above the rhetoric and misinformation currently coming from the Federal Minister's office and get a deal done which helps some of the most vulnerable West Australians.
"Over the next few days I'll be visiting Kununurra, Derby and Broome and encouraging everyone in the Kimberley to get behind the 'Don't Walk Away' campaign."
Premier's office: 6552 5000
