Quality of life

WA Labor understands the effect the Barnett Government's harsh price rises have had on the cost of living and the quality of life of Western Australians. WA Labor
recognises the cost of housing as the main driver affecting cost of living and quality of life for low income earners, with food stress and other costs adding to the burden.
We have released policies to reduce the cost of electricity by removing the unfair Tariff Equalisation Contribution Levy, help parents with education costs and other policies. We will release more policies to address the cost of living closer to the
election.

The Liberal-led Government in its first term has made the conscious choice to ensure that subsidies and concessions are tailored to the people most in need. These include: 
• Introduction of the Cost of Living Assistance (CoLA) payment  which increased the amount paid to eligible households from $147 to $200 per annum, worth $286 million over the next four years;
• Increasing the Senior’s Cost of Living Rebate from $100 to $155.25 for singles and from $150 to $232.90 for couples.  These payments are part of the broader suite of social concessions provided by the State Government, which following the Liberal-led Government’s last State Budget is estimated to be worth almost $1 billion. 

 The Greens (WA) recognise the increasing cost of living pressures being experienced by many individuals and families. We believe that housing is a basic human right and that everyone should have access to appropriate, safe, secure, sustainable and affordable housing. The Greens (WA) also believe that the community service sector plays a vital role in sustaining our economy, and protecting and supporting many of our most vulnerable community members. People should be able to access and control the services they need. All people should have physical and economic access to enough nutritious, culturally appropriate, safe food to promote good health.