‘Anti-suburbs’ Budget

Kwinana MLA Roger Cook and Warnbro MLA Paul Papalia have hit out at the State Government’s Budget, claiming it offers next to nothing for residents in their electorates.

Mr Cook has labelled the Budget “anti-suburbs” with more pain and less gain for Kwinana.

“A lot of people in this area are on fixed incomes, so they are really going to suffer now,” he said.

Mr Cook said he had hoped for a bigger expansion of primary schools, public transport and less fees and charges on households.

“This Government has been the recipient of record levels of revenue over the last six years, and where has the money gone?” he said.

“Household fees and charges always rise and we’re doing our best in changing economic circumstances to keep those rises as low as possible.”

But Mr Papalia said there was “little in the Budget for the electorate of Warnbro beyond an extra $324 a year in costs for households”.

“There is no police station, there is no additional public transport, and there are no additional resources,” he said.

Despite the State Government promising three new primary schools in Baldivis by 2017, both Mr Papalia and Mr Cook said the schools were long overdue and schools in the Warnbro electorate were overflowing.

But Education Minister Peter Collier said the new and improved schools would support WA’s rapidly growing population.

The MLAs were also concerned setbacks in the construction of the Aubin Grove train station would create further congestion and upgrades to the Kwinana Freeway were insufficient.

Thumbs up

- Three new schools in Baldivis by 2017.

- Construction of Stage 2 of Baldivis Secondary College in 2015.

- New classrooms at Calista Primary School in 2014.

- Child and Parent Centre at East Waikiki Primary School in 2015.

- Wastewater plant at East Rockingham ($76 million).

- New train station at Aubin Grove ($10 million).

- Increased spending on health Statewide ($8 billion).

- Increased spending on disability services Statewide ($180m over four years).

- Increased spending on education ($188 million).

- Spending on mental health Statewide up $46 million.

- Investment in Kwinana Freeway ($32 million).

Thumbs down

- Power prices up 4.5 per cent.

- Water charges up 6 per cent.

- Public transport fares up 4 per cent for adults and 20 per cent for students.

- Car registration fees up 3 per cent and abolition of $36 private vehicle concession.

- Land taxes up 10 per cent.

- Stamp duty threshold lowered to $430,000.

- Landfill levy to double.

- Public housing weekly rent up about $12.