Supporting the local community through the current cost-of-living crisis has been a major focus for the Cook Labor Government.

The WA Cook Labor Government introduced the WA Rent Relief Program to help financially vulnerable tenants at risk of eviction to remain in their homes with rental assistance of up to $5,000. The government also reduced the Keystart interest rates, saving customers thousands of dollars on interest payments.

The WA Cook Labor Government have invested a record $2.6 billion in housing and homelessness which has already delivered more than 2,100 homes and more than 1,000 are under contract or construction. The government has introduced legislation to create fairer conditions for rental tenants to ban rent bidding and limit rent increases to once in every 12 months. This legislation includes the allowance of companion animals in homes under most circumstances which Lisa advocated for very strongly with the relevant Ministers.

The Cook Labor Government delivered the state’s first 10-year Homelessness strategy, beginning with $225 million invested in homelessness initiatives, across 130 organisations.

WA Labor was vital in stopping the Liberal party’s plans to privatise of our energy system, preventing the sky-rocketing increases in household power bills that has been seen in the Eastern States. This government delivered at least $1,400 in Household Electricity Credits to every WA household since 2020, providing direct cost of living relief to WA families. In addition, this government has provided a $650 electricity credit for small business across the state and introduced the 9am-3pm free energy for those doing it toughest.

The 2024 budget delivered this May includes another $400 electricity credit to households and small business to support the costs of essential power.

The Cook Labor Government made travel to/from the suburbs cheaper through the two-zone fair cap for public transport. In addition, this government provided the very popular programmes such as ‘Summer of Free Public Transport’ and ‘Fair Free Sundays’ and the 2024 ‘Student’s Travel Free’ for free student travel to/from school.

Seven Urgent Care Clinics have been delivered by this government, providing free GP appointments for Medicare card holders, taking pressure of our Emergency Departments.

The WA Cook Government reinstated the WA Seniors Card and Security Rebate, a program cut by the Liberals. Additionally, this government has increased the senior’s cost of living rebate and continued support for the WA Seniors Discount Directory.

The Cook Labor Government partnered with the Albanese Federal Government to deliver 130 Fee Free’ TAFE courses across a range of key industries. In addition to the Fee Free courses, this government has prioritised over 160 courses for fee reductions of up to 72%. The WA Labor Government committed to investing in 15 major upgrades of this state’s TAFEs, creating world-class learning facilities.

This April, this government launched the WA Student Assistance Payment, providing support to every family with primary or secondary students with the cost of education.

Additionally, this government has funded 150 more Group Training Organisations wage subsidy places to get more construction apprentices on the job and supported up to 600 women with $5000 scholarships into trade and technical occupations.

The Cook Government is responding to the difficult circumstances that many people find themselves facing. Lisa will continue to advocate for her constituents and work together with them to ease cost of living pressures.