Western Australia underfunded in federal infrastructure budget

The recent federal budget has announced $17.1 billion for new road and rail projects across Australia, but Western Australia (WA) will receive only a small portion. WA will get just 0.06 percent of this funding, predominantly for the $350 million Kwinana Freeway widening project. Treasurer Rita Saffioti had predicted that WA would be underfunded in infrastructure, which has now come true. Queensland is the biggest winner in this budget, with a $7.2 billion upgrade for the Bruce Highway, while Victoria is receiving $1 billion for road improvements in Melbourne's western suburbs. The federal government emphasized that the investments aim to enhance the safety and efficiency of Australia's transport networks. Despite the low infrastructure funding, WA's Goods and Services Tax (GST) share is healthier this year, with $7.83 billion expected compared to $7.4 billion last year. In addition to infrastructure, the budget includes new tax cuts that will benefit average earners starting in 2026. Tax rates for certain income brackets will decrease, providing about $268 in savings over two years. The budget also allocates $84.5 million to improve border security in response to past breaches. Other funding includes support for a green steel initiative and the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope in WA, which will receive nearly $48 million. Projects like the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Centre and Comprehensive Cancer Centre still have funds but lack progress on construction. Overall, while the budget features various funding allocations, WA leaders express concerns about being short-changed on crucial infrastructure projects.