Cook Labor Government doing what’s right for the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe

• Re-elected Cook Labor Government to ramp up investment in what matters for regional WA
• WA Labor’s Vision for the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe to create jobs, build more houses, strengthen healthcare and diversify the economy
• Only WA Labor will do what’s right for the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe

The Cook Labor Government has today unveiled its Vision for the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe – 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 Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe to meet its full potential.

A central part of this Vision is the Cook Labor Government’s plan to bring WA’s freight rail network back in house, after it was privatised by the Liberals and Nationals 25 years ago. Bringing the network back into public hands will allow freight rail to keep pace with the State’s booming economy, reduce the number of trucks on country roads and support the growth of our critical industries.

In addition, $250 million will also be invested to expand the Regional Road Safety program, delivering road safety treatments across the State, including in the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe.

Strong economic management has allowed the Cook Labor Government to provide record cost of living relief, and new WA Labor commitments to increase the value of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card and support students travelling to Country Week events will directly benefit regional residents.

In addition, a re-elected Cook Labor Government will halve TransWA fees, slashing the cost of bus and train services for regional WA towns.

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 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 a commitment to increase the number of police officers focused on regional areas. WA Labor will also establish a dedicated State Bushfire Mitigation Branch, to reduce the threat of bushfires, and expand the successful Community Emergency Services Manager program with six new positions across regional WA, including the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe.

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 at local karting clubs and RSLs.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“The Cook Labor Government will always do what’s right for the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe."

“We’re setting up these regions for the future, by providing targeted cost of living relief and working to bring freight rail back into public hands – a commitment that will support local businesses to thrive.”

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

“From additional housing to record investment in cost of living relief and quality healthcare, our Government has a proven track record of delivering for regional residents."

“Our Vision sets up the region to meet its full potential, ensuring communities in the Mid-West, Central Wheatbelt and Roe continue to be great places to live, work and visit for generations to come.”

Comments attributed to WA Labor’s Candidate for the Mid-West Jenna Denton:

“WA Labor’s plan to bring freight rail in house will take trucks off Mid-West roads and enable local industry to meet its potential."

“The Cook Labor Government is supporting the Mid-West to thrive into the future.”

Comments attributed to WA Labor’s Candidate for the Central Wheatbelt Rebecca Atkinson:

“From extra GROH housing, to important school upgrades, the Cook Labor Government is focused on what matters to communities in the Central Wheatbelt."

“Only a WA Labor Government will deliver for the people of the Central Wheatbelt.”

Comments attributed to WA Labor’s Candidate for Roe Brad Willis:

“Farmers and businesses in Roe will directly benefit from the Cook Labor Government’s plan to bring freight rail back into public hands."

“Along with investment in local sporting facilities and key road upgrades, WA Labor is doing what’s right for Roe.”