UnionsWA has today commented on the WA Budget 2020.
Owen Whittle, Secretary UnionsWA said:
“West Australians need a pay rise.
“The announcement that Government will end the current State Wages Policy by commencing an early review is welcome.
“Unions will fight hard for a pay rise for our members, but the devil will be in the detail.
“Now Industrial Relations Minister Dawson must sit down with unions and negotiate in good faith to improve the wages of working West Australians.
“The real pay for most of our public sector workforce in WA has been going backwards for four and more years, failing to keep pace with essential costs of living.
“Many working West Australians are essential to keeping us safe through the pandemic.
“Our heavy workload is carrying the national economy.
“Low pay rises have led to labour shortages in WA and are harming our economy and services to the community.
“Giving credit where it is due, Minister Dawson has secured an historic and much needed increase in funding for WorkSafe WA
“When combined with the significant legislative reforms last year, this additional funding will save lives and prevent injuries.
“The commitment in this and future years to limit increases by State Government to its own fees and charges is welcome.
“State government fees and charges contribute significantly to essentials costs of living for all working West Australians and the forecast low increases comes off the back of many years of over-inflation rises and has put pressuring everyone.
“The packages of measure to address urgent needs for housing for vulnerable West Australians is the sign of a caring government, no one should be left behind.
“In other areas of the budget there has been a commitment to growing jobs – this is good for the WA economy and important at a time of job insecurity.”
Additional Information
The Budget includes, for the 2021-22 financial year
• 1.75% increase in residential electricity tariffs;
• 1.75% increase in the Water Corporation’s total water tariffs (water, wastewater and drainage);
• Freeze on public transport standard fares;
• 4% increase in motor vehicle licence fees;
• 3% increase in compulsory third party (CTP) insurance premiums;
• 4.3% increase in the Emergency Services Levy, and;
• TAFE fees frozen until 2025
Total expenditure by the ‘representative household’ on this basket of Government goods and services in 2021-22 is an increase of 1.6% or $99.36 yearly.
Budget predictions for percentage (%) changes, key economic indicators, 2020-21, 2021-22 & 2022-23.
|
|
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
202-243 |
|
|
Budget |
Forward Estimate |
Forward Estimate |
|
Gross State Product (c) |
3.5% |
1.0% |
1.25% |
|
Employment (e) |
2.5% |
1.5% |
1.25% |
|
Unemployment Rate (f) |
4.75% |
4.5% |
4.5% |
|
Population |
0.7% |
0.8% |
1.1% |
|
Consumer Price Index (d) |
1.75% |
1.75% |
2.0% |
|
Wage Price Index |
2.25% |
2.25% |
2.5% |
