The Cook Labor Government’s tenth State Budget confirms what regional WA already knows: after nearly a decade in power, Labor still cannot see past the Perth skyline.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food and Member for Central Wheatbelt Lachlan Hunter MP said the Budget again prioritised Perth pet projects over the industries and communities that keep WA running.
“A decade of Labor budgets. A decade of Perth-first politics,” Mr Hunter said.
“While Labor pours billions into racetracks, entertainment precincts and NRL deals in Perth, regional WA is left fighting for basic infrastructure, healthcare and agricultural investment.”
Mr Hunter said the Budget again failed to provide long-term certainty for the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network, despite the roads underpinning billions of dollars in agricultural exports each year.
“These are some of the most dangerous freight roads in WA and they are critical to moving grain, fertiliser, fuel and freight across the Wheatbelt,” he said.
“Regional communities are sick of hearing announcements while the roads they rely on continue to fall apart.”
Mr Hunter also criticised the lack of meaningful investment into projects and services across regional WA, including ongoing funding certainty for GGA, support for palliative care services in Cunderdin, regional healthcare access, housing and agricultural research.
“As Shadow Agriculture Minister, I am deeply concerned by the continued lack of investment in agricultural research, biosecurity preparedness and long-term support for regional industries,” he said.
“At a time when farmers are dealing with fuel insecurity, fertiliser supply concerns, live sheep export uncertainty and rising input costs, this Government should be backing agriculture harder than ever.”
Mr Hunter said the Budget also failed to properly address the future of the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration and other initiatives critical to improving productivity and innovation in regional WA.
He said Labor’s widely promoted $100 fuel payment also showed how disconnected the Government had become from regional life.
“That might sound alright in inner-city Perth, but it won’t touch the sides for Wheatbelt families, farmers and businesses driving hundreds of kilometres every week just to work, farm, get to school or see a doctor,” he said.
“After ten Labor budgets, the pattern is impossible to ignore.”
“Regional WA creates the wealth. Perth gets the projects.”
