Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA says The Nationals WA new $120 million Regional Family Guarantee will give regional children the best possible start to life and make it easier for young families to build their future in regional WA.
The Nationals WA policy, announced at the Party’s 2026 State Conference, will target six critical areas impacting regional families: midwifery, travel and accommodation, primary healthcare, allied health, and childcare.
The Regional Family Guarantee will be the first major policy delivered under a restored Royalties for Regions program.
Ms Warr said the policy would make a real difference for families across the Geraldton electorate, where access to essential services remained a major challenge.
“Your postcode should not determine your child’s future,” she said.
“The Regional Family Guarantee would help support families living and working in regional WA by investing in health, housing, and childcare to give confidence for young families building their future outside of Perth.
“It’s about ensuring every child born in Geraldton gets the best possible start in life.”
The policy, which would be funded through a restored Royalties for Regions Program under a future Nationals Government, was developed after hearing concerns from families living in regional WA and the challenges they face.
Ms Warr said the Regional Family Guarantee targeted the first 1000 days of a child’s life, which is a critical stage of their development.
“The first 1000 days of a child’s life helps shape their long-term health, development and opportunities,” she said.
“Investing early delivers benefits not just for children, but for communities and the economy.
“Where you choose to live should not determine the start your child gets in life.
“Regional families deserve the confidence that the services they need will be there when they need them, from pregnancy through to their child’s first day of school.”
The Regional Family Guarantee will invest in:
- Regional Midwifery Package – supporting recruitment and retention, professional development and housing, alongside a full HECS rebate for midwives who commit to living and working in regional WA.
- Regional Family Accommodation Package – providing modern accommodation near major regional hospitals for families who need to travel for maternity care, alongside reforms to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme.
- Regional Primary Healthcare Package – helping regional local governments maintain primary healthcare services, attracting more GPs to the regions and supporting nurses to upskill as nurse practitioners.
- Regional Allied Health Workforce Strategy – attracting allied health professionals through HECS rebates, establishing an Allied Health Flying Squad and creating dedicated allied health hubs in communities and schools.
- Regional Childcare Package – investing in solutions to address childcare shortages and increase access to childcare in regional communities.