The Western Australian government's latest budget has left many families underwhelmed, with a $100 fuel voucher that can be used for any purchase and continued student assistance payments failing to address the full extent of cost-of-living pressures.
Fuel Support Payment and Student Assistance
Central to the Cook Government's cost-of-living strategy was a $100 handout for all driver's licence holders, dubbed a Fuel Support Payment. Although promoted as assistance for higher fuel prices, the voucher can be spent on anything, not just petrol. Additionally, a third round of the Student Assistance Payment scheme was confirmed, providing parents with $150 per primary or kindergarten student and $250 per secondary student.
However, families say these measures do not go far enough. Claire Fraser, an early education centre director from Baldivis, expressed disappointment. She lives with her husband Andrew and three children aged three, six, and nine. The family recently sold one car to cut commuting costs due to rising fuel and maintenance expenses. Their home also hosts Ms Fraser's sister-in-law and her boyfriend, who moved in for six months nearly five years ago and remain due to skyrocketing rental prices.
Families Struggle with Rising Costs
Ms Fraser described the family's strategic cutbacks: "We're very strategic now in terms of looking for the specials, we've obviously had to pull back on the luxuries and stick with the bare necessities." She noted that their fortnightly food bill has doubled from $300–$400 to around $600–$800.
Regarding the $100 fuel payment, she said it barely covers one tank: "My tank of fuel is $100 and sometimes that'll get me across a week and a half, really for me that's just three weeks worth of fuel support." She added, "As much as it's nice, I think it could have been better thought out."
The student assistance payments also fell short. Ms Fraser called $150 per child insufficient given rising costs: "$150 is nice, again, something's better than nothing. It's just the cost of those items isn't what it used to be."
Calls for Targeted Relief
WACOSS chief executive Louise Giolitto criticised the broad approach, urging more targeted support: "We are calling on this Government to uplift the food and emergency relief providers by $20 million... We did see $100 going to every single person who holds a West Australian licence, that could have inflationary pressures and it's not going to those who are most in need."
NDIS Changes and Thriving Kids Program
Ms Fraser also noted the NDIS changes, as one child has ADHD. The budget includes $169.3 million for "the provision of support for children aged 8 years and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs and their parents/carers, known as Thriving Kids." She welcomed the funding but stressed uncertainty over the model's details and eligibility.
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