This Month
Surging WA government costs eat into $3b iron ore windfall
Surging iron ore prices have delivered the West Australian government an extra $3 billion in royalties, but two-thirds will go on increased state expenses.
- Tom Rabe
November
- Opinion
- The AFR View
GST magic pudding shows there’s no appetite for tax reform
State and federal financial relations are a dog’s breakfast. But premiers are more interested in entrenching their own interests than reforming the mess.
- The AFR View
July
Fruit left to rot as ‘strongest state’ can’t get enough workers
WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti lauds double AAA rating, but business warns worker shortage is a drag on economy.
- Tom Rabe
June
- Opinion
- The AFR View
State debt addictions harder to add up
The least creditworthy jurisdictions face paying a higher risk premium on their borrowings unless they get their houses in order by bringing down debt.
- The AFR View
May
‘A tale of two countries’: Perth long lunches continue amid budget boom
Fresh from handing down yet another multibillion-dollar budget surplus, WA Premier Mark McGowan said if other states had problems “they really need to look in the mirror”.
- Tom Rabe
McGowan eyes Texas in bid to diversify WA away from iron ore
Mark McGowan wants to diversify his state away from its heavy reliance on iron ore.
- Tom Rabe
- Updated
- Mark McGowan
McGowan on track to deliver a decade of surpluses for WA
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has handed down a budget surplus of $3.3 billion, and the state is on track for 10 consecutive years in the black, buoyed by overflowing mining royalties.
- Updated
- Tom Rabe
The winners and losers in the WA budget
Who benefits, and who missed out from Thursday’s WA budget.
- Tom Rabe
WA to spend $3b on major battery storage system, wind power
The West Australian government will allocate almost $3 billion to a renewable battery storage system and new wind power in Thursday’s state budget.
- Tom Rabe
WA flags massive energy grid expansion to support industry
Western Australia has flagged an expansion to its energy grid to support a future influx of renewable generation needed to support heavy industry.
- Tom Rabe
April
- Opinion
- Government debt
States need fiscal revolution to avoid debt bomb
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey is laying the groundwork for a revamping of state government finances.
- Christopher Joye
December 2022
WA reveals budget boost as iron ore stays stronger and longer
WA premier Mark McGowan raises spectre of a recession as the resources-rich state receives budget boost from higher than forecast iron ore royalties.
- Brad Thompson
October 2022
Battery metals, LNG push WA resources to record $231b sales
Jobs in the WA resources sector reach all-time high as sales records continue to tumble.
- Brad Thompson
May 2022
- Analysis
- Mark McGowan
Lucky McGowan doesn’t let virus spoil his big budget day
Premier Mark McGowan attributed a fair chunk of WA’s economic success and surpluses to his closed border, just as COVID-19 cases peaked.
- Michael Bennet
The winners and losers in the WA budget
More of the state’s bumper surplus won’t go to providing greater relief to offset Perth’s soaring inflation rate, the highest in the country.
- Michael Bennet
McGowan seeks to head off GST fight following $5.7b surplus
Mark McGowan says other treasurers will be “green with envy” over WA’s budget as he delivered a bumper surplus.
- Michael Bennet
McGowan urged to unleash surplus despite inflation risks
Western Australia is set to deliver another record surplus on Thursday, prompting business leaders to push for greater support to tackle skills shortages.
- Michael Bennet
WA drivers offered country’s biggest EV rebate
Western Australia has become the final state to subsidise electric vehicles after Mark McGowan unveiled $3500 rebates for 10,000 new cars.
- Michael Bennet
February 2022
Ellison says no crash landing for lithium price boom
Previous lithium booms have been followed by big crashes, but Rich Lister Chris Ellison says it’s different this time
- Updated
- Peter Ker
December 2021
Delta’s $24b budget blow-out adds to state debt
The COVID-19 delta variant smashed affected states’ budget bottom lines, adding a collective $24 billion to NSW and Victoria’s deficits.
- Ronald Mizen
