WA Labor’s $3.4 Billion Election Promises – Smart Spending or Political Showmanship?

After securing yet another landslide victory, WA Labor is set to govern for another four years. 

But with $3.4 billion in election promises on the table, the big question is:

Are these election promises possible, or was the Labor Party simply pandering to voters? 

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Housing: Too Little, Too Late?

WA Labor kicked off its campaign with a $443 million pledge to build 1,800 social and affordable homes in partnership with the federal government. 

Sounds impressive, but with housing demand skyrocketing and homelessness on the rise, is this enough to fix WA’s housing crisis? 

Many argue it’s a band-aid solution rather than a game-changer.

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Health: A System in Crisis

The state’s health system remains in dire straits, with overburdened hospitals and staff shortages causing major concerns. 

Labor’s solution? Expanding programs to divert patients from hospitals, boosting women’s health services, and strengthening aged care. 

While these initiatives are welcomed, critics question whether they tackle the root of the problem: 

An underfunded and overstretched system that needs more than incremental fixes.‍

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Cost of Living: Real Relief or Just a Token Effort?

With inflation and interest rates squeezing households, WA Labor sprinkled a few cost-of-living relief measures into its campaign, including $89 million in student support payments and a public transport fare cap of $2.80. 

Regional pensioners will see an increased travel allowance of $775 a year, and financial aid will be available for school students attending Country Week sporting events.

But are these measures meaningful relief or just election sugar hits?‍

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Energy: A Big Bet on Batteries

A key highlight of Labor’s promises is a $387 million investment in WA’s first-ever residential battery scheme. 

While this could signal a step towards energy independence and sustainability, some worry about execution—will WA see genuine savings, or will this be another costly government rollout with little impact on everyday energy bills?‍

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The Verdict: Solid Plans or Political Smoke and Mirrors?

There’s no doubt WA Labor’s promises sound good on paper. 

But with past delays, cost blowouts, and policy backflips still fresh in voters' minds, the real test will be in the delivery. 

Will these initiatives create lasting change, or will taxpayers be left wondering where the money went?

Good luck Mr Cook. 

We hope your promises ring true!