Budget 2005 aims to deliver on Labor's commitments

26/04/05
Treasurer Eric Ripper today announced that the Gallop Government's fifth Budget will be delivered on Thursday, May 26.
Mr Ripper said the 2005-06 Budget would deliver all of Labor's election commitments aimed at improving services; providing new jobs; protecting Western Australia's unique lifestyle; and supporting regional development.
"Disciplined management of the State's finances has enabled the Gallop Government to deliver balanced budgets while significantly increasing spending in key areas such as health, education and law and order," the Treasurer said.
"Since coming to office, Labor has increased annual spending in health by $889million, or 38.6 per cent, education and training by $558million (29.8 per cent) and law and order by $302million (32.1 per cent).
"In the last year, we have implemented $1.5billion worth of tax cuts and our record $3.4billion capital works program underpins a State economy that leads the nation."
Mr Ripper said the Government was aiming to deliver a healthy Budget surplus on day-to-day expenditure, to ensure continued investment in State-building infrastructure through Labor's large capital works program.
"Infrastructure investment bolsters the sustainability of our economic prosperity, jobs growth and service provision," he said.
The latest Access Economics report shows that WA has the best outlook of all the States, with average annual growth forecast at 4.6 per cent, compared with the 3.3 per cent national average from 2004-05 to 2008-09.
Access has also revised up WA's growth forecast from 3.5 per cent to 4.7 per cent in 2005-06 - the highest of all States.
Despite the buoyant forecast, the State Government faces the challenge of delivering a Budget that sets the foundations for continued growth, against the backdrop of risks to GST revenue from slowing economic growth in other States and Peter Costello's threats.
"Our top priorities will be to deliver on our election commitments and to invest in key infrastructure, while providing a better deal for families through initiatives such as the new Education Allowance, lower fares for students, $25 off motor vehicle registrations; and abolition of debits tax," Mr Ripper said.
Treasurer's office: 9222 8788