- More than
$350 million committed in 2026-2027 State Budget as part of continued
investment for Aboriginal people and communities
- Funding
to continue supporting economic, social, and community initiatives for
Aboriginal people
- Cook
Labor Government committed to building and strengthening culturally responsive
services in partnership with Aboriginal people, communities, and organisations
The Cook Labor Government is investing more than $350 million into
initiatives that support better outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities,
reflecting a renewed commitment to Aboriginal self‑determination through strong, collaborative
partnerships.
Through the 2026-2027 State Budget, this funding will support
Aboriginal-led and culturally responsive services across Western Australia,
improving access to support and strengthening community-driven solutions in
areas identified as priorities by local communities.
This builds on the $300 million the Cook Labor Government has allocated
for the Stolen Generations Redress Scheme, supporting healing and truth-telling
for survivors, their families, and communities.
The new funding includes $10.1 million for
the WA Closing the Gap 2026-28 Implementation Plan to deliver five initiatives
targeted at driving delivery of the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement
on Closing the Gap.
Additional funding that will support Aboriginal-led decision-making and
delivery of programs and services includes:
- $37.7
million to expand the Aboriginal Representative Organisations that meets the
Department of Communities' legislative obligations, whilst ensuring the highest
priority cohorts have timely access to cultural supports;
- $8.1
million to extend the Council of Aboriginal Services WA Partnership Agreement;
and
- $7.2
million for the Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making sites in Mirrabooka and
the Mid West-Gascoyne region.
Initiatives that support economic development include:
- $18
million for Aboriginal tourism initiatives through the Jina: Western Australian
Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030;
- $12.6 million
funded by industry for the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program;
- $5
million for the Garaan-ngaddim Horizontal Falls tourism transition;
- $3.7
million for the continued operation of Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal
Heritage and Cultural Centre;
- $2.1
million to maintain delivery of the Aboriginal Business Capability Building
Program;
- $1.6
million towards establishing Aboriginal traineeships in regional Jobs and
Skills Centres; and
- $1.1
million from the Commonwealth's Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, and associated
grant expenditure to Main Roads WA towards the Kalumburu airstrip upgrade for
Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation.
Initiatives that support safe and inclusive remote Aboriginal
communities include:
- $81.7
million for housing investment in remote Aboriginal communities;
- $24
million for the Remote Communities Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project;
- $11
million to enable the replacement of vehicles, plant, machinery, and equipment
for Municipal Services;
- $10
million to deliver electricity services; and
- $720,000
to progress the replacement of Bidyadanga's diesel generation asset and future
community-led renewable generation.
Initiatives to boost health wellbeing include:
- $48.6
million for Social and Emotional Wellbeing services;
- $41
million to continue Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy initiatives;
- $20.3
million funding uplift for at-risk youth services including the Home Safe program
and to extend the Kimberley Empowered Youth Network;
- $19.6
million over for Child Sexual Abuse Therapeutic Services, Indigenous Healing
Services, the Kimberley Sexual Abuse Prevention and Support Service, and for
Tuart Place;
- $13.2
million for the Perth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation;
- $11.8
million for the Dandjoo Bidi-Ak therapeutic children's court program;
- $10.8
million towards a therapeutic Youth Justice Model of Care for young people in
detention;
- $4.6
million to support the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA in delivering the Custody
Notification Service and the Work and Development Permit Scheme;
- $3.7
million for the Aboriginal Environmental Health Model of Care; and
- $1.5
million in 2026-27 to support a one-year continuation of the Police and
Community Youth Centres safeSPACE programs in Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, and
Roebourne.
For more information, visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My government acknowledges the cultural heritage of WA's Aboriginal
people and the value they bring to our State.
"That's why we have prioritised Closing the Gap as part of this Budget.
"Our responsible Budget management has kept WA's economy the strongest
in the nation so we can invest in better outcomes for Aboriginal people and
communities across health, education, and employment."
Comments attributed to Aboriginal
Affairs Minister Don Punch:
"As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, I am committed to working in
genuine partnership with Aboriginal people and communities to ensure the
Closing the Gap agenda delivers meaningful, lasting change and improves
outcomes for Aboriginal people across Western Australia.
"This Budget delivers targeted investment to drive the Priority Reforms
under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by strengthening shared
decision‑making,
building the capacity of Aboriginal CommunityControlled Organisations, and embedding
accountability across government.
"It also reflects the Cook Labor Government's continuing
commitment to working alongside Aboriginal people to deliver change that
honours culture, strengthens community control, and advances economic
empowerment through sustainable jobs, enterprise, and opportunity - supporting
Aboriginal people to thrive now and into the future."
