Lower Commonwealth contributions have played a large role in the state government's operating deficit of $303 million for the month of April.
Latest figures from the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) reveal the state's operating deficit is a $469 million turnaround from a year ago when Western Australia recorded a $166 million surplus.
It also compares with a $123 million operating surplus recorded in March 2009.
In the monthly update released yesterday, the DTF reported revenue of $1.32 billion, down 16.2 per cent or $256 million, from the same month last year.
The report said the lower revenue is attributable to lower GST grants, down $172 million, and lower capital grants and subsidies, down $136 million compared to April last year when the government received funding for the Perth to Bunbury Highway.
The downturn in Perth's property market saw taxation revenue decline by $50 million from a year ago due to lower prices and volume in the residential market.
Expenses for the month of April were 15.1 per cent higher to $1.63 billion including higher salaries costs, up $12 million from March, reflecting higher employee numbers and pay rates.
Also contributing to higher overall expenses is a $38 million increase from March in 'other services and contracts' expenses to $204 million, due mainly to higher costs on a number of projects including AK Reserve, the State Theatre Centre and the Rockingham/Kwinana hospital.
