❓ The Premier outlines the Cook Labor government's investments in WA's regions, focusing on infrastructure, housing, and workforce development to unlock new economic opportunities and support population growth in regional centres.
⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 290Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
State economy—Regions290.Ms Divina D'Annato
thePremier:I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying Western Australia's economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation. Can the Premier please outline to
the house how the Cook Labor government is investing in Western Australia's
regions, and how this investment will help WA to unlock new economic
opportunities?Mr Roger Cook replied:Mr Speaker, I begin
by acknowledging Katie Hodson-Thomas in your gallery today.I thank the member
for the question. Our WA Labor government knows how important our regions are
to the state's economic success. Industries like mining, agriculture and
tourism have all been critical to making WA the strongest economy in the
nation. Our vision is to build on that success and to capitalise on the
opportunities our region affords us, like becoming a renewable energy
powerhouse, diversifying our economy and making more things here. To do this,
our government wants to ensure that our regions are well equipped to embrace
these opportunities by having a skilled workforce in our regions and delivering
high-quality services so people can build a life in regional WA. That is the
impetus behind the Seven Cities vision I recently announced.Part of that work is
investing in infrastructure to unlock new economic opportunities—roads, land,
bridges, ports, water and power. Much more of it is about ensuring that our
seven regional cities have the services and housing they need to sustain
population growth over the longer term. That is why we are delivering a record
investment in regional WA, in particular for regional housing. We will deliver
more than 500 new homes for regional frontline workers in partnership with the
resources industry, including in Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Geraldton,
Kalgoorlie and Albany. That is more than 500 additional homes for workers
essential to any regional cities, like teachers, police officers and more. It
forms part of a broader $692 million regional housing spend in the upcoming
2026–27 budget. It includes a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme Agreement,
which will include shared equity to encourage government workers to purchase
homes in the communities they work in.Over the last week,
I have had the privilege of visiting all our seven cities to see firsthand the
strength of these communities and the opportunities ahead. These visits were an
important opportunity to engage directly with the people who will benefit the
most and will drive the next chapter of our economic history. During the visit,
I met with local government representatives, chambers of commerce, high school
students, not-for-profits and small business owners, all of whom are playing a
vital role in shaping the future. I would like to take the time to thank local
members, particularly the member for Kimberley herself, for attending the
forums and supporting our Seven Cities initiative. That is including our forum
in Geraldton that had the member for Geraldton and the member for Mid-West in
attendance.Across these
discussions, there has been clear recognition of the opportunities that the
Seven Cities vision represents. Our vision will position regional centres for
sustained growth and future economic opportunities. We understand the
importance of delivering the fundamental housing, services, workforce and
infrastructure that will allow people to not just work but build a life in
regional WA.Regional Western Australians understand that it is
about a coordinated approach to ensuring that our key regionalcentres are
positioned for sustained population growth and economic diversification. WA Labor
has invested more in regional WA than has any government before it. From the
biggest road projects to the biggest hospital projects, we understand that
regional WA is central to our identity as Western Australians and central to us
remaining the strongest economy in the nation for generations to come. That is
why in this year's budget, WA Labor has continued to deliver for regional
WA.The Speaker:Before I give you the call, member for
Central Wheatbelt, I too would just like to welcome former member for Carine
Katie Hodson-Thomas to the gallery today. Welcome back, Katie. It is great to
see you.
State economy—Regions
290.Ms Divina D'Annato
thePremier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying Western Australia's economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation. Can the Premier please outline to
the house how the Cook Labor government is investing in Western Australia's
regions, and how this investment will help WA to unlock new economic
opportunities?
Mr Roger Cook replied:
Mr Speaker, I begin
by acknowledging Katie Hodson-Thomas in your gallery today.
I thank the member
for the question. Our WA Labor government knows how important our regions are
to the state's economic success. Industries like mining, agriculture and
tourism have all been critical to making WA the strongest economy in the
nation. Our vision is to build on that success and to capitalise on the
opportunities our region affords us, like becoming a renewable energy
powerhouse, diversifying our economy and making more things here. To do this,
our government wants to ensure that our regions are well equipped to embrace
these opportunities by having a skilled workforce in our regions and delivering
high-quality services so people can build a life in regional WA. That is the
impetus behind the Seven Cities vision I recently announced.
Part of that work is
investing in infrastructure to unlock new economic opportunities—roads, land,
bridges, ports, water and power. Much more of it is about ensuring that our
seven regional cities have the services and housing they need to sustain
population growth over the longer term. That is why we are delivering a record
investment in regional WA, in particular for regional housing. We will deliver
more than 500 new homes for regional frontline workers in partnership with the
resources industry, including in Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Geraldton,
Kalgoorlie and Albany. That is more than 500 additional homes for workers
essential to any regional cities, like teachers, police officers and more. It
forms part of a broader $692 million regional housing spend in the upcoming
2026–27 budget. It includes a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme Agreement,
which will include shared equity to encourage government workers to purchase
homes in the communities they work in.
Over the last week,
I have had the privilege of visiting all our seven cities to see firsthand the
strength of these communities and the opportunities ahead. These visits were an
important opportunity to engage directly with the people who will benefit the
most and will drive the next chapter of our economic history. During the visit,
I met with local government representatives, chambers of commerce, high school
students, not-for-profits and small business owners, all of whom are playing a
vital role in shaping the future. I would like to take the time to thank local
members, particularly the member for Kimberley herself, for attending the
forums and supporting our Seven Cities initiative. That is including our forum
in Geraldton that had the member for Geraldton and the member for Mid-West in
attendance.
Across these
discussions, there has been clear recognition of the opportunities that the
Seven Cities vision represents. Our vision will position regional centres for
sustained growth and future economic opportunities. We understand the
importance of delivering the fundamental housing, services, workforce and
infrastructure that will allow people to not just work but build a life in
regional WA.
Regional Western Australians understand that it is
about a coordinated approach to ensuring that our key regionalcentres are
positioned for sustained population growth and economic diversification. WA Labor
has invested more in regional WA than has any government before it. From the
biggest road projects to the biggest hospital projects, we understand that
regional WA is central to our identity as Western Australians and central to us
remaining the strongest economy in the nation for generations to come. That is
why in this year's budget, WA Labor has continued to deliver for regional
WA.
The Speaker:Before I give you the call, member for
Central Wheatbelt, I too would just like to welcome former member for Carine
Katie Hodson-Thomas to the gallery today. Welcome back, Katie. It is great to
see you.
thePremier:I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying Western Australia's economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation. Can the Premier please outline to
the house how the Cook Labor government is investing in Western Australia's
regions, and how this investment will help WA to unlock new economic
opportunities?Mr Roger Cook replied:Mr Speaker, I begin
by acknowledging Katie Hodson-Thomas in your gallery today.I thank the member
for the question. Our WA Labor government knows how important our regions are
to the state's economic success. Industries like mining, agriculture and
tourism have all been critical to making WA the strongest economy in the
nation. Our vision is to build on that success and to capitalise on the
opportunities our region affords us, like becoming a renewable energy
powerhouse, diversifying our economy and making more things here. To do this,
our government wants to ensure that our regions are well equipped to embrace
these opportunities by having a skilled workforce in our regions and delivering
high-quality services so people can build a life in regional WA. That is the
impetus behind the Seven Cities vision I recently announced.Part of that work is
investing in infrastructure to unlock new economic opportunities—roads, land,
bridges, ports, water and power. Much more of it is about ensuring that our
seven regional cities have the services and housing they need to sustain
population growth over the longer term. That is why we are delivering a record
investment in regional WA, in particular for regional housing. We will deliver
more than 500 new homes for regional frontline workers in partnership with the
resources industry, including in Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Geraldton,
Kalgoorlie and Albany. That is more than 500 additional homes for workers
essential to any regional cities, like teachers, police officers and more. It
forms part of a broader $692 million regional housing spend in the upcoming
2026–27 budget. It includes a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme Agreement,
which will include shared equity to encourage government workers to purchase
homes in the communities they work in.Over the last week,
I have had the privilege of visiting all our seven cities to see firsthand the
strength of these communities and the opportunities ahead. These visits were an
important opportunity to engage directly with the people who will benefit the
most and will drive the next chapter of our economic history. During the visit,
I met with local government representatives, chambers of commerce, high school
students, not-for-profits and small business owners, all of whom are playing a
vital role in shaping the future. I would like to take the time to thank local
members, particularly the member for Kimberley herself, for attending the
forums and supporting our Seven Cities initiative. That is including our forum
in Geraldton that had the member for Geraldton and the member for Mid-West in
attendance.Across these
discussions, there has been clear recognition of the opportunities that the
Seven Cities vision represents. Our vision will position regional centres for
sustained growth and future economic opportunities. We understand the
importance of delivering the fundamental housing, services, workforce and
infrastructure that will allow people to not just work but build a life in
regional WA.Regional Western Australians understand that it is
about a coordinated approach to ensuring that our key regionalcentres are
positioned for sustained population growth and economic diversification. WA Labor
has invested more in regional WA than has any government before it. From the
biggest road projects to the biggest hospital projects, we understand that
regional WA is central to our identity as Western Australians and central to us
remaining the strongest economy in the nation for generations to come. That is
why in this year's budget, WA Labor has continued to deliver for regional
WA.The Speaker:Before I give you the call, member for
Central Wheatbelt, I too would just like to welcome former member for Carine
Katie Hodson-Thomas to the gallery today. Welcome back, Katie. It is great to
see you.
State economy—Regions
290.Ms Divina D'Annato
thePremier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying Western Australia's economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation. Can the Premier please outline to
the house how the Cook Labor government is investing in Western Australia's
regions, and how this investment will help WA to unlock new economic
opportunities?
Mr Roger Cook replied:
Mr Speaker, I begin
by acknowledging Katie Hodson-Thomas in your gallery today.
I thank the member
for the question. Our WA Labor government knows how important our regions are
to the state's economic success. Industries like mining, agriculture and
tourism have all been critical to making WA the strongest economy in the
nation. Our vision is to build on that success and to capitalise on the
opportunities our region affords us, like becoming a renewable energy
powerhouse, diversifying our economy and making more things here. To do this,
our government wants to ensure that our regions are well equipped to embrace
these opportunities by having a skilled workforce in our regions and delivering
high-quality services so people can build a life in regional WA. That is the
impetus behind the Seven Cities vision I recently announced.
Part of that work is
investing in infrastructure to unlock new economic opportunities—roads, land,
bridges, ports, water and power. Much more of it is about ensuring that our
seven regional cities have the services and housing they need to sustain
population growth over the longer term. That is why we are delivering a record
investment in regional WA, in particular for regional housing. We will deliver
more than 500 new homes for regional frontline workers in partnership with the
resources industry, including in Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Geraldton,
Kalgoorlie and Albany. That is more than 500 additional homes for workers
essential to any regional cities, like teachers, police officers and more. It
forms part of a broader $692 million regional housing spend in the upcoming
2026–27 budget. It includes a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme Agreement,
which will include shared equity to encourage government workers to purchase
homes in the communities they work in.
Over the last week,
I have had the privilege of visiting all our seven cities to see firsthand the
strength of these communities and the opportunities ahead. These visits were an
important opportunity to engage directly with the people who will benefit the
most and will drive the next chapter of our economic history. During the visit,
I met with local government representatives, chambers of commerce, high school
students, not-for-profits and small business owners, all of whom are playing a
vital role in shaping the future. I would like to take the time to thank local
members, particularly the member for Kimberley herself, for attending the
forums and supporting our Seven Cities initiative. That is including our forum
in Geraldton that had the member for Geraldton and the member for Mid-West in
attendance.
Across these
discussions, there has been clear recognition of the opportunities that the
Seven Cities vision represents. Our vision will position regional centres for
sustained growth and future economic opportunities. We understand the
importance of delivering the fundamental housing, services, workforce and
infrastructure that will allow people to not just work but build a life in
regional WA.
Regional Western Australians understand that it is
about a coordinated approach to ensuring that our key regionalcentres are
positioned for sustained population growth and economic diversification. WA Labor
has invested more in regional WA than has any government before it. From the
biggest road projects to the biggest hospital projects, we understand that
regional WA is central to our identity as Western Australians and central to us
remaining the strongest economy in the nation for generations to come. That is
why in this year's budget, WA Labor has continued to deliver for regional
WA.
The Speaker:Before I give you the call, member for
Central Wheatbelt, I too would just like to welcome former member for Carine
Katie Hodson-Thomas to the gallery today. Welcome back, Katie. It is great to
see you.
AnswerView source ↗
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This question is awaiting a response from the Minister.
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