Roger Cook hints more financial relief measures are on the way as West Aussies struggle with cost of living

Roger Cook has given his strongest indication yet that more cost-of-living relief is on its way. As cost-of-living hikes — like rising grocery and fuel bills and last year’s interest rate rises — take their toll on many WA families, Mr Cook said his Government was “actively considering” more relief. “We know the cost of living is top of mind for every Western Australian, which is why I’ve made cost-of-living relief my top priority,” Mr Cook said. “On top of what my Government has already rolled out, we are actively considering a range of additional cost-of-living measures to support Western Australian families. “ West Australians will go to the polls twice early next year — a State election on March 8 and a Federal election in May. Nationally, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Peter Dutton’s Liberals, have not shied away from the fact that cost-of-living is the no.1 issue leading up to the Federal poll. So far, Mr Albanese’s main power play has been to provide more tax cuts for middle class Australians, before the Federal election. Figures released by Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ office showed that in key Federal WA seats at the next election, thousands will benefit from the cuts. In the Labor held seat of Pearce, for example, 85 per cent of the electorate (73,000 people) will get an average tax cut of $1618. In the Liberal-held seat of Forrest — 61,000 people — 84 per cent of taxpayers — will get a bigger tax cut than was first proposed under the former Coalition plan. Here in WA, the WA Government’s main cost-of-living relief has been several power bill credits — including $400 in 2023. Other measures, such as free public transport for school students and a rent relief program have been introduced. But the Cook Government is being urged to do more. Housing Industry WA, in its pre-Budget submission to Government, urged Labor to lower stamp duty payments on established homes for first-homebuyers by adjusting the stamp duty threshold currently at $430,000. The median house price in Perth is now edging $600,000. “The current first-homebuyer will pay $21,000 in stamp duty for an entry level house and land package valued at $570,000,” the HIA says in its submission. “Reducing this number by adjusting the stamp duty threshold from $430,000 will make housing more affordable for more renters and first-homebuyers.” Mr Cook, who along with his deputy Rita Saffioti, will release Labor’s pre-election Budget in May, said “all options are on the table”. “The Budget process is under way, and I’ve made clear to my team that all options are on the table to help households struggling with higher interest rates and higher day-to-day costs,” Mr Cook said. “We’ve recently delivered a number of policies and programs to help WA families. “My commitment to Western Australians in this — I’ll always do what’s right for WA, and my Government will do everything we can to help with the cost of living.”