Editorial: Cook and Saffioti ‘under pressure’ as they prepare to deliver Labor’s first post-election Budget

There’s no way of knowing what might be running through the minds of Premier Roger Cook and Treasurer Rita Saffioti as they walk into Parliament House to deliver Labor’s first post-election Budget on Thursday.

If the people of Western Australia had any say in the matter, they might suggest the pair be humming the impossibly catchy melody to David Bowie and Queen’s 1981 hit, Under Pressure.

Because the pressure is certainly on for the re-elected Cook Government to deliver on a number of fronts — cost of living, health and housing, chief among them.

Having been handed a landslide victory by WA voters, the Government must now offer real world solutions to the State’s many problems.

They’ve certainly got the means with an iron ore royalty windfall jacking the State’s surplus to around $3.5 billion, $300 million higher than expected.

Soaring gold prices have also helped boost the balance.

But now is not the time to be frivolous, with many critics already pointing to Saffioti’s $217 million Burswood Park racetrack as evidence Labor has its priorities wrong.

Because while the Government may be cashed up, voters are not.

And things are set to get worst with many WA households factoring in a 50 per cent hike in their annual electricity spend following speculation that Labor will dump its $400 power bill credits, which have been handed out for the past three years.

It is expected to result in a $600 increase in annual electricity bills for the average household from next month.

It would be very bad optics indeed if the Government opted to ditch the credits at a time when voters are still struggling with high cost of living, astronomical rent and mortgage pressures.

Cook and Saffioti are no doubt well aware that there will be intense blowback if they do not offer some kind of fiscal solution to help fix WA’s broken health system.

Health Minister Meredith Hammat, in particular, will be hoping Saffioti has an ace up her sleeve when it comes to doing something about WA’s seemingly ever-increasing hospital ramping figures.

Housing is another major thorn in the Cook Government’s side. WA currently holds the title of Australia’s rough sleeping capital — a badge of shame given our State is the economic powerhouse of the nation.

Experts also warn that without a major injection of funds, WA’s housing crisis will likely hinder opportunities for economic growth and diversification into the future.

The lack of adequate inner-city housing options could mean the skilled migrants that are expected to flood our shores as part of the predicted IT boom will simply bypass Perth in favour of other more affordable and better-equipped capitals.

The Government holds all the cards, and the strings to a burgeoning purse. It’s time to reward the confidence WA voters have placed in them by prioritising the needs of the community.

To quote that earlier 80s hit, this may not be Labor’s “last dance” but it is certainly a government under pressure.