Cook Labor Government doing what’s right for Albany
- Re-elected Cook Labor Government to ramp up investment in what matters for regional WA
- WA Labor’s Vision for Albany to create jobs, build more houses, strengthen healthcare and diversify the economy
- Only WA Labor will do what’s right for Albany
Premier Roger Cook has today unveiled his Vision for Albany – a plan which builds on WA Labor’s strong record of investment and sets up the region for the future.
The Vision outlines WA Labor’s commitment to boosting housing supply and providing targeted cost of living relief, while investing in regional healthcare and keeping the economy strong.
Since coming to Government in 2017, WA Labor has created more than 340,000 jobs, with unemployment at historic lows. A re-elected Cook Labor Government will build on that work, keeping our economy strong, driving economic diversification and supporting the Albany community to meet its full potential.
Strong economic management has allowed the Cook Labor Government to provide record cost of living relief, and a new WA Labor commitment to increase the value of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card by another $100 will directly benefit regional residents. In addition, a re-elected Cook Labor Government will halve TransWA fees, slashing the cost of bus services for regional towns including Albany.
Major projects like the new Albany Ring Road and upgrades to South Coast Highway are complete, and the Cook Labor Government will continue to prioritise regional road safety and major infrastructure works.
Since 2021, funding for health and mental health has risen by $14.3 billion, with more than 800 beds added across WA. WA Labor will continue to deliver a world-class healthcare system for regional WA, including the biggest-ever expansion of the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme, supporting residents travelling to Perth for treatment. The Great Southern will also benefit from a new residential rehabilitation centre, where locals who are struggling with addiction will be able to access round-the-clock care.
The Cook Labor Government is on track to construct an additional 32,000 houses across the State by the end of 2025. If re-elected, WA Labor will build more houses through the Regional Housing Support Fund, doubling the Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) construction program and supporting stamp duty relief.
A re-elected Cook Labor Government will also invest in education upgrades, with better facilities for kids growing up in the regions. Additionally, free TAFE will continue, creating quality career opportunities for tens of thousands of Western Australians.
Community safety remains a key priority for WA Labor, with commitments to increase the number of police officers focused on regional areas, deliver additional CCTV programs and support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, with an extra six refuge units to be delivered in Albany.
Projects which support liveability will also receive additional funding. The Vision highlights how WA Labor will upgrade and improve community sporting infrastructure across the region, including extra tennis courts, an all-abilities fishing jetty and upgrades to the local kart club.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
“Only a WA Labor Government will do what’s right for Albany."
“From additional housing to record investment in cost of living relief and quality healthcare, our Government has a proven track record of delivering for Albany locals."
“Our Vision sets up the region to meet its full potential, ensuring the Great Southern continues to be a great place to live, work and visit for generations to come.”
Comments attributed to Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
“The WA Labor Government is focused on what matters for the people of Albany."
“From world-class healthcare to transformative infrastructure projects and community sport upgrades, our Government is investing in the future of our community, to benefit local families and businesses into the future.”