Nationals Member for Western Australia, Rob Horstman MLC says the Cook Labor Government’s State Budget has once again failed regional Western Australia, delivering little for the communities that generate the wealth of the State and nation.
“Kalgoorlie deserves better than being treated as an afterthought in every State Budget,” Mr Horstman said.
“Regional communities continue to do the heavy lifting for Western Australia’s economy, yet time and again we are overlooked when it comes to investment in the infrastructure and services we need.”
Mr Horstman said they were disappointed to see water supply issues for Kalgoorlie overlooked in this year’s Budget.
“In 2025, The Nationals WA announced their commitment to develop a detailed business case and begin planning for a desalination plant in Esperance, to provide a long-term water solution for Kalgoorlie and surrounds.”
“Kalgoorlie residents have endured years of water restrictions, having a major impact on the community, sporting clubs and industry.”
“It is incredibly disappointing that this project has again been ignored, despite the clear benefits it would deliver for the community.”
Mr Horstman also criticised the Government for failing to fund expansion works for the Kalgoorlie Fire Station.
“Kalgoorlie has received additional career firefighter staffing, and yet the station facilities have not properly expanded to accommodate them.”
“Meanwhile previously planned Stage 3 works remain delayed as Kalgoorlie’s firefighters wait for the new training tower and a permanent generator after reporting repeated power outages.”
“This is Labor’s tenth State Budget, and the pattern is now impossible to ignore — regional WA continues to be treated like a piggy bank for Labor-focused projects.”
Mr Horstman said the continued erosion of Royalties for Regions meant communities in regional WA were no longer receiving their fair share.
“Royalties for Regions was created to ensure wealth generated in the regions was reinvested back into the regions,” he said.
“Instead, we are seeing hundreds of millions of dollars diverted away from regional communities and funnelled into Labor’s priorities in Perth.”
Mr Horstman reaffirmed The Nationals WA’s commitment to restoring Royalties for Regions to its original purpose.
“Regional WA deserves its fair share of the wealth it helps create, and The Nationals WA will continue fighting to make sure our communities are not left behind.”