Resources royalty reliance and a lack of action on payroll tax were among the key observations from business groups digesting today's state budget – the first from Treasurer Rita Saffioti.
Ratings agency S&P Global Ratings has expressed surprise that the state budget will dip into a cash deficit this year but otherwise was effusive about the health of WA's finances.
A record $12.1 billion will be spent through the state's asset investment program in 2024-25, part of a $42.2 billion outlay forecast over the four years to the end of 2028.
The state government has allocated $2.7 billion in the 2024-25 budget to spend on Metronet while the estimated cost for the original commitments has blown out.
The state government has made an upward revision to its long-term iron ore price forecast, as lower-than-forecast critical mineral royalties highlight the volatility challenges facing the economy.
The state government has forecast continued budget surpluses but behind the headline numbers lie big “cash deficits” and a large increase in state debt.
ANALYSIS: The cumulative value of the WA government's pre-budget spending announcements is nearing $3 billion – a day out from Treasurer Rita Saffioti's first official budget release.
The total investment into the planning phase of the multi-billion-dollar Westport project nears $70 million after the federal government matched its state counterpart's funding.
Empty supermarket shelves and product shortages for businesses are continuing to impact consumers more than one month after the interstate rail was flooded.
The state government has invested $67.5 million to help rebuild the Kimberley region, which has been hit by floods and other natural disasters in recent years.
Two groups of contractors have been shortlisted for the first stage of the state government's $1 billion road upgrade project to extend Tonkin Highway and upgrade Thomas Road.
A boom in jobs has pushed down Australia's unemployment rate and prompted economists to trim their interest rate outlook though some have cast doubt on the data.
The state government has awarded a $257 million contract to expand Metronet's railcar manufacturing facility to ADCO Constructions and UGL Engineering.
A major new essential workers project in Port Hedland is a step closer to reality, with the state government agreeing to pour $4.5 million into headworks.
Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss the GST debate, the iron ore market, the energy transition and the new debate over uranium mining, Maali Group's collapse, apartments in Scarborough and the Shenton Quarter project.
Western Australia's share of GST payments will increase to $7.25 billion in 2024-25, while NSW and Queensland will get less after a spike in their coal royalties.
Italian football powerhouses AC Milan and AS Roma will play a game at Optus Stadium at the end of May, in the latest event secured under the state government's $59 million tourism splurge.
Government infrastructure could be built faster and to a higher standard if construction firms were engaged early in the planning process, according to the boss of Acciona Australia.
Western Australia reported an increase in lithium royalties over the first half of the financial year, despite a sharp drop in pricing for the volatile battery metal.
Sculpture by the Sea has collaborated with Tourism WA to launch a new Aboriginal Artistic Program, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the free outdoor art exhibition launched today.
Two international firms have won contracts with WA's largest grain handler to build new grain rail sidings under plans by CBH Group to be exporting 3 million tonnes per month by 2033.
City of Perth Lord Mayor and WA Liberal preselection candidate Basil Zempilas has labelled the state government ‘arrogant and out of touch' after the closure of a Northbridge hotel.
The state tourism portfolio's current setup can leave assets stuck between regulatory and tourism agencies, according to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti.
Federal governments would risk losing every seat in Western Australia if they tore up the GST deal, Rita Saffioti says, as pressure once again ramps up on the government to axe it.
The state government has brought the Great Southern and South West road maintenance workforce in-house, as part of its statewide transition to grow Main Roads.
Perth will host the International Boxing Federation's lightweight world title bout between George Kambosos Jr and Vasiliy Lomachenko on Sunday May 12 at RAC Arena.
Inflation continues to fall with the Australian Bureau of Statistics recording a 4.1 per cent rate nationally and 3.6 per cent in Perth for the past year.
Western Australia's tourism and local economy will likely benefit from the HSBC Rugby SVNS tournament to begin in Perth on Friday, according to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti.
Developers want to cut the ribbon on a major upgrade to Perth's convention centre by the end of the decade and use a global oil and gas conference as its launchpad onto the world stage.
Elizabeth Quay could one day host a venue on the water, with the state government seeking expressions of interest in a second floating venue to be built and run on the Swan River.
