The Western Australian economy is going strong, but we’re underinvesting in our people and that puts our future at risk.
Today’s state budget figures highlight the impacts and outcomes of strong economic and population growth for the WA economy and our contribution to the national bottom line.
But it also highlights the challenges we face in planning and caring for a growing population to ensure we can create and share a brighter future, and avoid the downsides of a boom and bust cycle.
WACOSS Acting Chief Executive Officer Rachel Siewert said while today’s budget delivers on many of WA Labor’s election commitments, it lacked adequate investment in social services.
“WACOSS is particularly pleased to see investment in expanding school breakfast programs, extending the Rent Relief Scheme and expanding the Hardship Utility Grants Scheme to include public housing tenants’ water bills – initiatives WACOSS has been advocating for.
“However, this budget lacks the investment in social infrastructure that is critical to a growing community – once again leaving the community services sector with stagnated funding, insufficient to meet demand, let alone the true need.”
The big numbers are population growth (300,000 added to WA over the last five years), employment growth (1.64 million workers and record low unemployment), state final demand (which has grown by 3.4 per cent), and a $13.7 billion investment in physical infrastructure (poles, wires, pipes and ports).
“A growing state needs investment in physical and social infrastructure to keep up with the needs of a growing and thriving community,” Ms Siewert said.
“We need those poles and wires, those ports and pipes, but we also need support services, quality local early education and care services, child health nurses, education and inclusion support for those who are developmentally vulnerable and falling further behind.”
While inflation has eased, costs remain high. Wages have not caught up and the standard of living for many Western Australians, particularly those on low income, has declined. Many working families are experiencing serious financial hardship for the first time. We know this has significant flow on effects on physical and mental health, social wellbeing and education.
Last week’s Australian Early Development Census results for WA are a wake-up call. While WA had been a leader in early child development in the past, we have seriously slipped behind. These new numbers show we are not keeping up with the needs of our youngest citizens during those crucial early years of development.
WA needs to have a long-term plan to ensure that its social infrastructure keeps pace with growing and changing community need – for example the social services and supports that young migrant working families and an ageing population need to thrive.
“Western Australia has so much going for it just now – the strength of our economy, the value of our resources, the quality of our natural environment and the opportunity to build a meaningful and rewarding life,” Ms Siewert said.
“We need to invest in all our people – to ensure the next generation are healthy, happy and creative and ready to build our state’s future.”
