A State Budget Lacking in Bravery

The 2025-26 State Budget was delivered by Premier Roger Cook and Treasurer Rita Saffioti on 19 June, and while there were no surprises, there were certainly a few missed opportunities.

The Cook Labor government allocated more than $3 billion to deliver on their 2025 election commitments, but housing and cost-of-living measures that dominated the election cycle have since taken a backseat in this year’s Budget, with economic infrastructure being a key focus.

Infrastructure investment (including water, power, and ports) will total $38 billion over the next four years to secure WA’s economic future.  Anglicare WA believes that WA’s economic future is getting the attention and investment it deserves, however Anglicare WA acting CEO Philippa Boldy stated, “we’re left wondering where the social infrastructure emphasis really is.”

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Cost of Living Index

Coming off the back of the State Budget is the release of Anglicare Australia’s 2025 Cost of Living Index report, which examines the impact of living costs on minimum wage households.  According to the report, full-time work is not enough to keep people out of poverty. 

A single minimum-wage worker is left with just $33 each week after covering basic living expenses like rent, food, and transport.  For a single parent with one child earning minimum wage, this figure is just $1, even with Government supports such as the Family Tax Benefits and Commonwealth Rent Assistance.  Meanwhile, a couple who are both on minimum wage with two children would have only $5 left over per week after covering the basics.

This means that there is little left over to cover other costs, such as utilities, telecommunications, insurance, and household goods.  

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Social vs Affordable Housing

Anglicare WA welcomes the recent announcement that the State Government has invested $105 million in purchasing the Fraser Suites serviced apartment complex to transform it into social and affordable housing.

This much-needed boost in social and affordable housing is the right step in addressing Western Australia’s housing crisis.  But what exactly is social and affordable housing?  And why are they an important solution to the crisis gripping our market-based housing system?

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50 Years of NAIDOC Week

This year marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week.  That’s five decades of Australia celebrating the voices, culture, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As part of our ongoing commitment to valuing and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and voices and advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition and justice, Anglicare WA staff will be involved in NAIDOC week events and celebrations across the state.
 

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