WA govt calls for remote housing cash

The WA and commonwealth governments appear to be at an impasse over remote housing funding, but the premier hopes to see cash in next week's federal budget.

Malcolm Turnbull and Mark McGowan on an escalator

WA Premier Mark McGowan (R) is hoping Malcolm Turnbull's budget will be generous to the state. (AAP)

The West Australian government wants to see Commonwealth funding for remote indigenous housing reinstated in Tuesday's federal budget.

The 10-year National Partnership Agreement on Remote Housing has seen WA receive an average annual federal government contribution of about $100 million and is due to expire in June.

The Labor state government says the coalition "turned its back" on the deal just before Christmas, creating an increased risk of marginalisation for some of Australia's most vulnerable communities.

But federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion took aim at WA in March for failing to commit its own funds, saying the cost should be equally shared.

Asked what the WA government hoped to see in the federal budget next week, WA Premier Mark McGowan said he'd like the agreement reinstated.

"The Commonwealth has done it for the Northern Territory - they should do it for Western Australia," he said last week.

Senator Scullion made a verbal commitment to match the Northern Territory's funding of $1.1 billion over 10 years in January.

Mr McGowan also reiterated he wanted to hear "positive noises" about changing the GST distribution.

While the federal government's promise of $3.2 billion last week to fund infrastructure projects was pleasing, Mr McGowan said, he'd like more cash for regional roads that haven't been funded yet including the Albany Ring Road and Karratha to Tom Price road.

"Considering our GST share it's the least the Commonwealth could do," he said.


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Published 6 May 2018 1:04pm
Source: AAP


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