News Articles for Rita Saffioti

The treasurer's big-spending budget was met with a lukewarm reception.

The Federal Budget has drawn a pointed response from WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti, who said the move to rein in NDIS spending risked shifting the burden onto states, while welcoming new housing and tax policies.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said she hasn't had an apology from the editor-in-chief of the West Australian newspaper after a post-budget breakfast event was soured.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti has chastised the editor-in-chief of The West Australian after he delivered a scathing introductory speech at the post-budget breakfast.

A new $500 million fund to fast-track major projects like the Aboriginal Cultural Centre has come out of the 2026-27 state budget.

ANALYSIS: Punters are often confused by WA having large budget surpluses while state debt keeps on growing. The answer lies in the cash deficit.

A $1.3 billion investment in land development, power and water infrastructure is among the measures included in the 2026–27 state budget housing package (see full list).

Treasurer Rita Saffioti has criticised the Reserve Bank's decision to increase the interest rate despite the state government pushing out its projected annual inflation.

An average household's fees and charges are expected to be kept under inflation, with the state government claiming it would be the lowest spend in five years.

Motorists will get an “extraordinary” $100 fuel handout in a headline grabbing budget sweetener that will cost the state government $210 million.

More than $10 billion worth of funding commitments have already been unveiled ahead of the state budget on Thursday, with another $2 billion-plus surplus expected to headline.

Scores of people flocked to Optus Stadium on Monday afternoon to pay their respects to the late Dennis Cometti, who died on March 3.

The total taxpayer bill for the purchase and fit-out of St John of God Mount Lawley by the state government has been revealed.

More than $2.1 billion has been committed to state school infrastructure funding ahead of the May budget.

New apartment and townhouse property developments will be underwritten by the state government as part of a $250 million pre-budget commitment.

North West business owners and residents have had little reprieve from rising insurance costs.

Transport infrastructure spending continues to provide for more volume and diversity.

The state government has been forced to further subsidise regional airfares after the aviation industry warned it would have to apply a fuel levy in Western Australia to cope with rising costs.

The long-awaited $120 million Perth Surf Park has been at least 10 years in the making.

SEE THE FULL LIST: Mapping influence is not a straightforward task in an environment of economic and political change.

Sport and recreation minister Rita Saffioti says Perth securing two FIBA Asian World Cup qualifiers in July is a boost for basketball in WA.

The land developers have struck deals with the government to develop 193 hectares in Perth's northern suburbs, with an EOI out for a remaining 120 hectares.

Australia's headline inflation rate fell in the final data before the Iran war up-ended the global economy, but Perth's inflation figure was significantly up compared to other capital cities.

FROM THE HILL: The government is asking for a $1.2 billion advance on the budget.

OPINION: The premier says travel time is behind his move from Kwinana to a pad near parliament.

Western Australia is set to receive a record $9.3 billion in GST revenue for the 2026-27 financial year, a large boost which experts said vindicated controversial reforms in 2018.

The Treasurer has hinted at an expansion of the first home buyer scheme, while reassuring land developers infrastructure backlogs should ease.

The Westport authority will develop Kwinana's container port and logistics hub, according to legislation tabled today.

OPINION: WA Liberal leader has called out secrecy around spending, but it might come back to bite.

Michaelia Cash has put her name to a letter supporting the current GST arrangements on behalf of local federal Liberals, as the campaign to retain WA's tax share ramps up.

Ground has broken for construction of the $163 million Australian Hockey Centre at Curtin University's Bentley campus.

A war of words has erupted between Treasurer Rita Saffioti and her opposition number Sandra Brewer, over a request for a briefing on WA's GST retention fight.

FROM THE HILL: Transport minister defends Matilda Bay ferry terminal while a Pomeranian guards the public gallery.

Rita Saffioti has defended claims government spending has lassoed builders away from private developers, admitting that population surges necessitated it.

The government has followed through on an election promise to bring down land tax for new rental developments.

OPINION: Labor is sitting pretty in WA, but the party is considering who provides the best future.

Premier Roger Cook has been asked who his successor should be and played a straight bat.

Some of Labor's most senior and influential figures are deeply divided about a succession plan if Roger Cook was to quit before the 2029 election.

Anger is bubbling in the north-west over the state government's decision to let airlines slug them with higher fares when their flights are busy.

The Insurance Commission of Western Australia's chief operating officer has been appointed chief executive for the next five years.