WA budget promises cost of living relief but with utility hikes
Cost of living relief has been promised in this year’s Western Australian budget but hikes to power and water bills have been found hidden in the details.
Treasurer Rita Saffioti and Premier Roger Cook have handed down their first budget today as the state’s population grows to nearly three million.
Saffioti announced the budget was operating at a $3.2 billion surplus.
Treasurer Rita Saffioti and Premier Roger Cook have handed down their first budget today.
She said the state’s economic growth was far from over.
Here are the major sweeteners for those living in the West.
The big ticket announcement is a $400 energy credit to lower electriity bills, which is the same as last year.
Residents can get $200 cut from their bills in July or August and again in December or January.
“It’s something we did last year and that we did again,” Saffioti said.
“It would be an amount welcomed by the WA community.”
Cook said the budget delivered for every Western Australian.
But the budget shows a 2.5 per cent increase to water and electricity bills, with a combined extra cost of $92 a year.
There will also be a 5 per cent ($15) increase to the emergency services levy.
And the cost of running a car will go up by $25.
Factoring in the credit, 9News’ analysis shows household bills will reduce by $124.
“My government is providing support for families, for seniors, for tradies, for renters, this budget delivers for every Western Australian,” Cook said.
There will be a payment for every Synergy account that includes renters and small business owners.
First home buyers will get stamp duty relief on properties up to $450,000 and concessions on homes from $450,000 to $600,000.
The Metronet passenger rail project had blown out to $12.6 billion from $2.9 billion.
The government today increased its long-term iron price forecast from the normal US$66 ($100) a tonne to US$71 ($108) a tonne, which is still well below the current spot price of US$115 ($175) a tonne.