More jobs and the economy

In 2000/01, Western Australia’s economy was in decline. Today our reputation as the engine room of the national economy has been restored. Western Australia is leading the nation in terms of economic activity and has unlimited possibilities. Business investment in WA remains strong, growing by 12.4% over the year to the March quarter 2008.

Since coming to office, the State Government has delivered eight balanced budgets in a row, reduced State debt to a record low and maintained Western Australia's AAA credit rating - all without privatisation.

Disciplined financial management has allowed the government to embark on the State’s biggest-ever capital works program – a massive $21.6 billion is planned over the four years to 2011/12 - that builds on a record $29.5 billion over the seven years since the Government came to office.

Every cent of our budget surplus is being used to build better infrastructure for the future and reduce State debt. Better infrastructure such as new and better schools, hospitals and police stations, better roads, railways, ports, electricity networks and water services. The Government has used recent surpluses to fund the debt-free construction on the New MetroRail project and the new state-of-the-art Fiona Stanley Hospital. The surplus has also been used to repay significant portions of centrally funded debt, leaving the Consolidated Account debt-free for the first time. It is also ensuring that net debt will remain sustainable while we deliver our huge infrastructure program.

Since coming into office in 2001, the Government has overseen a continuing period of low unemployment, while employment has grown by over 200,000 persons.

Between 2000/01 and 2006/07, our economy almost doubled, from $75.5 billion to $141.4 billion. Wages growth is faster and business confidence levels are higher in WA compared to national averages.

Tax relief introduced by the WA Government since 2004 is delivering a huge $7.8 billion return to Western Australians over the period 2008/09 to 2011/12. At the same time, sound financial management has allowed the Government to take action on housing affordability.

We've also overseen new and expanding export markets in the Middle East, Asia and USA, including the successful $25 billion deal to sell LNG to China.