Roger Cook and WA Labor to deliver $1 billion in cost-of-living relief

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will build on its record investment in cost-of-living relief with an additional $1 billion for programs which put money back in the pockets of WA families.
  • Strong economic management allows WA Labor to provide real relief for families
  • Cheaper public transport, battery rebates and free kindy to slash costs for years to come
  • Builds on WA Labor’s investment of more than $1.1 billion in cost-of-living relief last year

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will build on its record investment in cost-of-living relief with an additional $1 billion for programs which put money back in the pockets of WA families.

Key to the cost-of-living package is WA Labor’s new suburban flat fare, which caps public transport costs at $2.80 per trip. The scheme will slash costs for tens of thousands of commuters, saving a regular public transport user around $625 every year.

Households can also save up to $1500 a year on power bills thanks to the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to establish the State’s first residential battery scheme. The plan will deliver the nation’s most generous battery subsidies as well as no interest loans to allow greater access, saving families money while ensuring WA has a cleaner, more affordable and reliable electricity network for the future.

In addition, WA Labor’s nation leading plan to transform kindy will deliver high-quality early childhood education while saving parents thousands in childcare fees. The $48.8 million commitment will support working families, by delivering a pilot of free, full-time, school-based kindergarten for four year-olds and expanding out-of-school-hours care.

Parents across the State will also benefit from a new round of the popular WA Student Assistance Payment, providing $250 for each high school student and $150 for each child in primary school and kindergarten.

Meanwhile, the $37 million expansion of the School Breakfast Program will ensure students who need extra support are catered for.

Free flu vaccinations will also be rolled out for a fourth year in a row, saving families on vaccination costs while reducing the amount of time parents need to take off work to look after sick kids.

Regional Western Australians will also benefit from a suite of targeted measures, including an historic expansion of the popular Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS), the new Country Week Assistance Program, an increase to the value of the Regional Pensioner Travel Card and slashing Transwa fares in half.

The Cook Labor Government has delivered more than $1 billion in cost-of-living relief measures in the past year alone and will continue to deliver real savings if re-elected.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“My Government has a strong track record of providing real cost-of-living relief for WA households, and if re-elected we will build on that with an additional $1 billion in new programs."

“From free kindy to battery rebates and cheaper public transport – these programs are focused on providing real relief, now, and into the future."

“Our strong financial management means we can provide these supports without leaving a mountain of debt for generations to come."

“Only WA Labor is doing what’s right for households by investing in measures which will put money back in the pockets of families.”

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