Economy
Western Australian economy resilient in face of COVID-19
September 3, 2020
Western Australia records better economic results in 2019-2020 underpinned by the State’s hard border and strong COVID-19 response. The only state to experience economic growth in 2019-20 as Business investment grew by 9.3 percent, the strongest growth in eight years. The states hard border and strong COVID-19 response has buttressed the local economy to post the strongest economic growth of 1.1 percent. The figures released by Australian Bureau of Statistics show that WA confronted the pandemic from a position of strength, with a growth in the State’s domestic economy. This growth was underpinned by strong business investment, with a growth …
Coronavirus Australia: JobKeeper to be extended until Christmas
July 24, 2020
The JobKeeper wage subsidy has been extended until Christmas, however, this would be at a reduced rate of over $1000 a fortnight for companies that qualify under a new, tighter, eligibility test. The JobKeeper scheme, which was due to expire in late September has been extended until the end of the year which stricter requirements and lesser payout. Casuals will also no longer secure a flat-rate payment regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time under the JobKeeper’s second phase. Instead, casuals and part-time workers will secure a part-time rate of the JobKeep subsidy. A new turnover test will also …
Boost for jobs in Regional WA – Buy Local Policy for Goods, Services & Works
July 8, 2020
A new WA Buy Local Policy 2020 has been created to ensure that state government agencies prioritise regional businesses in which work or services are being delivered. The WA Buy Local Policy 2020 is a revised iteration of the current Buy Local Policy in 2002 which aimed to make sure regional businesses gained from the state governments annual $27 billion spend on goods, services and works. Under the 2020 policy, local businesses in the region where the work is being carried out will be invited to bid for contracts in their local area and the revised Regional Price Preferences will …
$72 billion worth of infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked by federal government
June 18, 2020
Despite the controversy over the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites, the government is expected to fast-track the approval of mining projects in Western Australia to accelerate billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects across the country. Joint assessment teams from the Commonwealth and state and territory government will work to slash approval times for the projects, worth a collective $72 billion in public and private investment. Around 15 projects worth $72 billion in public and private investment will be accelerated, among these are The Brisbane to Melbourne Inland Rail project and road, rail and iron ore projects in Western Australia, …
