Building WA through funding core community services

8/5/03
An increased spend on health services is one of the hallmarks of this year's State Budget, with the local community benefiting from the funding of a variety of initiatives.
This year, $5.27million will be spent completing upgrades to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, $9million is set aside for both Princess Margaret and King Edward Hospital capital works improvements and $3.5million for upgrades to Royal Perth Hospital's Shenton Park annexe.
Treasurer Eric Ripper said the 2003-04 Budget delivered funding increases for health, education, law and order, and the environment.
"For the third year in a row, the Gallop Government is meeting the community's priorities in these key areas," Mr Ripper said.
"Our health services alone will get a $1,000million boost in new money over the next four years including funding to employ an extra 150 nurses in addition to the 428 recruited in the past two years."
Mr Ripper said the State Government's priority was to continue to build Western Australia, ensuring it remains a vibrant, safe and smart community, with a strong economy leading to jobs growth and low unemployment.
He also said the Government was investing in important infrastructure to build a strong economy with new jobs and opportunities.
He said the State's police budget this year was a record total of $551.6million, an increase of 5.6 per cent.
However, Mr Ripper said the Government recognised the importance of funding local initiatives that supported community development and well-being. Examples of such projects include:

• $11.21million for ongoing work with the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority, including land acquisition and development;
• $770,000 to upgrade the Shenton Road Bridge rail intersection;
• $1.9million to complete the upgrade of the Claremont train station;
• $602,000 for capital upgrade and maintenance work at Challenge Stadium;
• $264,500 to heat and upgrade the Claremont swimming pool;
• $18.1million for upgrade work to the Subiaco waste water treatment plant; and
• $8.17million for ongoing works to Kings Park and surrounds (including $1million for the Bali Memorial).

Mr Ripper said funding education was a major priority of the Gallop Government.
"In addition to funding new schools, we are putting a lot of energy into the $27.8million Getting it Right, Literacy and Numeracy Program to provide our young people with the best start in life," he said.
"In the north metropolitan area alone, an extra 20 specialist teachers have been appointed."
More than 11,000 teachers across the State have taken advantage of the Government's $9.9million Notebooks for Teachers program, which provides teachers with computers and training to encourage them to become computer literate.
Mr Ripper said increasing spending in key areas while balancing the Budget was only made possible by putting the State's finances on a sound footing.
Minister's office: 9222 9795