Shadow Treasurer Dean Nalder says today’s alarming ABS data that Western Australia has suffered the biggest decline in total wages in the nation since the COVID-19 pandemic is not surprising given the Labor Government’s stimulus packages are the weakest of any State in the country.
“That’s what happens when you don’t manage the economy properly,” Mr Nalder said.
“You get the worst wages figures in the nation, you get the highest unemployment in history.
“ABS data revealed that only one in four West Australians had received a government stimulus payment – the worst figures of any State in the nation.
“WA’s total wages decline of -6.9% (between March 14 and July 25) compared to a national average of -4.8% highlights the Labor Government’s lack of support for WA businesses and households.
“Today’s alarming ABS data on WA’s declining wages follows three years of WA having the weakest wage growth nationally under the Labor Government.
“The Government can’t hide behind the COVID-19 pandemic. Business investment has also declined further every year under the Labor Government, unemployment (8.7%) has been growing faster than the rest of Australia (7.4%), with the highest number of unemployed in the State’s history, and house prices have fallen every year under the Labor Government, with the median price now below Adelaide and nearly $50,000 less than Hobart.
“West Australians are financially worse off under the Labor Government and we need a plan to lower taxes and charges, have less red and green tape, and a clear plan to attract industry to deliver sustainable jobs for WA.”