In just over 100 days since the State Election, the re-elected Cook Labor Government delivered the State Budget last week – and there’s lots to be proud of.

The 2025-26 State Budget is about supporting WA families, keeping our economy strong and making more things in Western Australia.

Most importantly, this budget begins to deliver on the commitments I made to you at the State Election earlier this year.

As a mum in Waikiki, I want our Rockingham community to be the best it can be. I’m excited that the budget delivers significant funding for Rockingham, including:

• Planning underway for $1M upgrades to the early childhood facilities at Cooloongup Primary School
• Continuing to deliver over $100M to redevelop our two public high schools at Rockingham and Safety Bay
• More than $1.5M to deliver local projects at schools, sporting clubs and important organisations
• Funding for a business case to expand bed capacity at the Lucy Saw Domestic Violence Refuge
• $18M for a Mental Health Emergency Centre at Rockingham Hospital
• $700M to widen the Kwinana Freeway in both directions to Mortimer Road

At the last State Election, Western Australians overwhelmingly backed the Cook Labor Government’s plan – doing what’s right for WA. In our first State Budget since that election, we are delivering on that plan.

This Budget strengthens our economy by making more things in WA, navigating global uncertainty, and supporting families with cost-of-living measures. These include household battery rebates, Student Assistance Payments, suburban flat fares, and free TAFE.

We’re delivering a $2.5 billion surplus, ensuring the economy remains strong while securing our investments in health, education, housing, and job creation. Backed by our strong economic management, this Budget sets aside $3 billion to honour the commitments we made to Western Australians at the State Election.

WA’s population has grown by more than 300,000 over the past five years, with people attracted by our job opportunities and strong economy. As demand for housing and services rises, we’re responding—housing approvals are up 45 per cent, completions rose 18 per cent in 2024 (the highest in seven years!), and rental vacancy rates are improving.

Since 2017, we’ve helped create around 340,000 jobs and kept unemployment at historically low levels. Our economy is now 26 per cent larger than it was before the pandemic.

Our State Budget underlines our strengths and delivers on the things Western Australians have come to expect from the Cook Labor Government – a strong economy, good jobs, and real investments in health and housing.

For more information, view the State Budget Overview here: http://ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au.