00:02WA's Treasurer earlier this week critiqued the RBA's latest interest rate hike.
00:07Now all smiles opening a new freight terminal in Kewdale while spruiking WA's books.
00:16Again a very strong set of books which allows us to invest in the priorities for Western Australia.
00:22The 2025-26 annual report on state finances boasting a $4.2 billion operating surplus
00:28and lower than expected net debt.
00:31That surplus delivering on a mixed bag, infrastructure, cost of living support, housing and health.
00:37Including a $1.4 billion top up into WA's building hospitals fund since May's state budget.
00:43Having that provision allows us to continue to invest in hospital infrastructure around the state.
00:49For example the new cancer centres.
00:51The building hospitals fund is a fund that we've created as a drawdown facility in effect.
00:57WA's books might look good but the opposition sees the state's financial prowess differently.
01:04Labelling the top up of the building hospitals fund a deliberate cash splash.
01:10It's spin to be truthful.
01:12It's just directing the operating surplus and saying it'll be hypothecated to a particular fund.
01:19Divided on WA's current spending.
01:21Big buckets of money are put aside and the money is rushed out as quickly as possible.
01:28We're trying to manage the expenditure growth but we need to invest in infrastructure.
01:33Another beneficiary of the state's wealth announced improvement to court services.
01:37Nearly $100 million put towards bringing court security and custody services into public hands.
01:42Starting with regional courts after 20 were forced to close for two months earlier this year.
01:48It will be a reliable service.
01:50It will allow the courts to have greater say in the deployment of personnel.
01:57A thorough picture of spending will be provided in the mid-year budget update in December.
02:03October 16, 2017
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